It seems nowhere is safe from coronavirus. Illegal logging, habitat destruction and devastating fires ravage Brazil, who is powerless to defend our precious rain-forest. Indigenous people are guardians of the Amazon and are being taken advantage of by criminals and large corporations. So we must step up to protect our rain-forest and fight for those who can not fight for themselves. We have already lost almost a quarter of the Amazon to this destructive behaviour and by some estimates, if we lose another three per cent we can't reverse the man-made destruction. 

Sign this petition to raise awareness. Challenge governments and officials to take action. One in three breaths we take we owe to our Amazon. Its destruction can not stand any longer. Coronavirus can not be used for profiteering.

Key Issues:

1. Habitat destruction and deforestation are already existential climate change threats.

2. Indigenous people and camp workers are suffering from COVID-19, exacerbating already existing issues.

3. Logging (legal and illegal) has substantially increased under the government of Jair Bolsinaro

4. Indigenous people can not currently defend the rainforest with there usual interventions that drive out illegal loggers.

5. Brazillian officials are calling for aid in the midst of the crisis.

The Instituto Socioambiental (ISA) is reporting on COVID-19 in the Amazon and has stated that the virus is amongst indigenous people with the youngest death being a 15-year-old boy. The resulting concern has meant that the indigenous people's have retreated into forest to isolate from COVID-19. As the virus spreads around logging camps with poor conditions, confined spaces and poor hygiene; coupled with limited access to health services, it is easy to see the humanitarian concern. 

The retreat of tribes such as The Guardians Of the Forest is truly concerning, as they can not make interventions to stop illegal logging; such as delivering suspects to Brazillian authorities. The retreat is particularly concerning due to the fact that Bolsinaro's government has allowed for an 84% increase in fires, related to forest destruction; with speculation that this will only increase. When we add COVID-19 and the indigenous retreat to the equation it is easy to see the environmental concern. 

Activists and politicians are worried and outraged. Greta Thunberg condemned the situation as "completely unacceptable" and the mayor of Manus exclaims that "we are in front of a disaster". Brazil has one of the highest reproduction rates of COVID-19 in the world according to one Imperial College London study and is in dire need of assistance. 

In essence European leaders, Environment Agencies, Government's and influential politicians need to condemn the current situation. Mounting pressure to help prevent illegal loggers from expanding into indigenous land, which defies UN resolutions and the Brazillian constitution. We must also inform the public of the growing tragedy.

To Help You Can:

Sign & share this Petition

Email your local MP (or equivalent if you are not a UK resident)

Spread the word to your friends and family

Further Reading