The Amazon from the perspective of those who breathe it

The Goethe-Institut promoted the debate on climate change in the Amazon at the beginning of December 2019.

The event was attended by Adriana Charoux (Greenpeace), Pamela Gopi (Greenpeace), Alan Apurinã (base coordinator of Apurinã – Acre and Amazonas villages) and Thiago Domenici (Public Agency editor). The debate itself was, as the event itself already delivers, focused on dialogue and impetus for actions on the emerging need to think and care for the Brazilian Amazon. After all, caring for the Amazon is therefore taking care of the entire planet.

The first to speak at the debate wheel was Pamela. The environmental activist and cultural producer provided significant data regarding the impact of deforestation in the Amazon region. According to Gopi, the lost territory accounts for 1.4 million soccer fields. Pamela ended her speech by pointing out that indigenous peoples should be placed as protagonists of the demonstrations in defense of the population and region, no longer as victims. In addition, it also indicated the Government of Destructionplatform for more information regarding data collection regarding actions taken in favor of environmental preservation.

Then one of the most memorable moments of the event. Master in sustainability, Alan Apurinã began his speech space with a prayer of his people. Later, he based his entire discourse, “What’s in the Amazon?”, On four axes: Amazon to the world, indigenous worldview, climate change and environmental impacts and, finally, cooperation alternatives between the forest and the city.

Alan brought much of his experience to the viewers. For several moments he repeated his desire to convey sensations (smells, sounds and colors of his native land) while speaking. In short, he ended up advocating viable solutions to reverse the consequences of climate change. For, according to himself, the causes were already rooted. One of the main goals Alan proposed was development and grassroots care (youth and children). It was not opposed to agribusiness. But, yes, with the current model.

“We are not against agribusiness. But yes against the model. We also want to help develop it”.

At the end of his speech, the indigenous of Apurinã origin was rewarded with applause by those present at the place. Recalling the awareness of the self-destruction of the natural resources of the Amazon that, according to their view, is actually killing the very cure of a society corrupted by addiction to profit above all – “when we feed the Amazon, we feed ourselves too” Alan emphasized that “we fight while we are alive” and this is the image that ultimately prevailed in his speech.

The closing of the debate round was up to the Public Agency editor, Thiago Domenici. Enlightening viewers with an investigative journalistic content from the agency through videos, data and content broadcast on various media platforms. Not only investigating, denouncing and reporting the conflicts involving the Amazon region. For Thiago the most important thing is to sensitize the reader. Thus, it is of great value, instead of proposing answers, to give voice to those involved. Because, according to the editor, “for real changes, it’s important to have impact“.

Written and edited by: Leonardo Sevilhano