A trip to the Amazon

Centre of the World

Brazilian writer, journalist and Amazon activist Eliane Brum: “Amazon on Europe's plate is a crime against future generations”

The European Commission has delayed the introduction of a new law against deforestation until the end of 2025, with an exemption for smaller companies until mid-2026.

The new deforestation regulation was due to come into force at the end of this year. This law prohibits the import of products from areas that have been deforested since the beginning of 2021. This includes palm oil, beef, timber, coffee, cocoa, rubber, soy and various derived products such as chocolate, furniture, printing paper and various palm oil-related items. Importers will have to prove the origin of these products.

The postponement of this legislation is in response to requests from EU member states and international trading partners, such as Brazil, who need more time to prepare. The decision, which still needs to be approved by the European Parliament and EU member states, has drawn strong criticism from environmental organizations. They argue that the delay will lead to further deforestation and encourage the consumption of products that contribute to it. Supporters, including some politicians and businesses, welcome the delay, citing concerns about practicality and administrative burdens.

The decision raises questions about the urgency of climate action and the trade-off between economic interests and environmental protection.

"The European Commission's decision to postpone the deforestation law for one year makes Europeans complicit in a crime against future generations," responds respected Brazilian writer, journalist and Amazon activist Eliane Brum in a column in the Spanish newspaper El País entitled ‘The Amazon on Europe's plate’.

She states: "This shameful decision by the European Commission to postpone the deforestation law for at least a year means that you will have beef on your plate that comes from deforestation; the pigs and chickens you eat are fed soy from deforested areas; the coffee you drink, the palm oil you consume and the cocoa in your chocolate are the result of destroyed nature and too often contain human blood. This decision makes Europeans complicit in the killing of environmentalists in countries like Brazil. This is already true, but now it will remain true for at least another year. And a year while the planet overheats is time we don't have."

According to Eliane Brum, the decision illustrates the world's acute lack of leadership at a critical moment in human history. She says the European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, is being influenced by pressure from big business and governments acting in their own interests. Leaders like Brazilian President Lula da Silva may talk about fighting climate change and preserving the Amazon, but in reality they often act against that message. According to Brum, there is still some hope for the Amazon, thanks to the resistance of Marina Silva, Brazil's minister of environment and climate change. "But she is increasingly alone and under constant attack in the Brazilian Congress."

Amazon activism

Eliane Brum is a prominent voice in environmental journalism and activism, with a focus on the Amazon forest. Since 2017, she has lived and worked in Altamira, in the central Xingu region, known as one of the epicenters of deforestation in the Amazon and infamous for the construction of the Belo Monte dam. Her work focuses on the climate crisis and the destruction of the Amazon.

As a columnist for El País and a publicist for international media such as The Guardian and The New York Times, Eliane Brum has a global impact. In 2022, she co-founded Sumaúma, a trilingual journalism platform focused on stories from the Amazon.

Brum's work uniquely combines investigative journalism with a deep commitment to social issues, human rights and environmental activism. She has published eight books in Brazil, including seven works of non-fiction and one novel. Her first book of non-fiction translated into English, 'The Collector of Leftover Souls', earned a spot on the National Book Award longlist for translated literature. Her most recent book, 'Banzeiro Òkòtó: Uma viagem à Amazônia Centro do Mundo' ('Banzeiro Òkòtó: The Amazon as the Center of the World'), deals with the significance of the Amazon rainforest. The title is composed of words from two different languages. 'Banzeiro' refers to a tidal wave in the river. As the people of the Xingu call the raging waters, 'banzeiro' is a dangerous place. Paddlers wait in silence, fearing the river's fury; one false move could capsize their boat or drag it underwater. 'Òkòtó' is a Yoruba word for an infinite spiral shell.

'Banzeiro Òkòtó' puts the Amazon rainforest at the center of the world, as the subtitle suggests. This non-fiction book explores themes related to life sciences and our planet. The book describes Brum's move from São Paulo to Altamira in the Amazon, where she shares her experiences with local communities and highlights the destructive effects of projects such as the Belo Monte dam. She calls for a fundamental revision of our relationship with the Amazon and its inhabitants. The work interweaves personal stories with in-depth analysis of the environment, indigenous rights, and climate change. Brum also introduces the concept of "reforestation of the self" as a way to reconnect with nature.

'Banzeiro Òkòtó' was originally written in Portuguese and later translated into English and French. It was published in France in 2024 by Editions du Sous-sol. 'Banzeiro Òkòtó - Amazonia, le Centre du Monde' is a finalist in the essay category of one of France's most prestigious literary prizes, the Prix Médicis.

Severe drought in Ecuador

Ecuador is in the midst of its worst drought in more than 60 years. The ongoing crisis has reduced water reserves to critical levels, impacting electricity service in a country that relies on hydroelectric power for seventy percent of its electricity supply. Ecuador's president has announced a plan to add 1,598 megawatts of capacity to the national power system starting in November 2024.

This image from one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites, taken on October 22, 2024, shows the Mazar reservoir, which recently reached its lowest level on record. The Mazar hydroelectric plant, a major source of electricity in Ecuador, is also visible. The lack of water in the reservoir has severely limited energy production.

Date: 22/10/2024

Location: Ecuador
Credit: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery

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