The Amazon, sacred territory for hundreds of traditional communities, is on fire.

Since last year, fire hotspots in the Amazon have increased by more than 80%, an alarming figure that demonstrates signals of neglect and permission to deforest one of the largest and most important forests on the planet.

Deforestation and threats to traditional peoples have increased dramatically in recent years, and by all accounts the numbers are likely to increase further with the lack of oversight and the granting of land for oil extraction and mining in sacred territories.

We call for climate solutions that are centered in traditional knowledge and indigenous leadership. This means:

• Laws banning all mining and fossil fuel exploitation in all indigenous territories in Brazil and Pan-Amazon 
• Decontamination of the waters of the Amazon Basin, today contaminated with mercury and other heavy metals, arising from illegal mining activities
• Increase in capacity and effectiveness in the prevention and monitoring actions as well as the  punishment of criminals responsible for illegal deforestation, illegal mining
• Guaranteed demarcation of Indigenous territories traditionally occupied
• Improvement in the application of Indigenous Health and promotion of indigenous communities well-being.
• Legal protection and respect for the life of all traditional communities (forest people)

Sign the solidarity pledge to stand with the climate defenders of the Amazon. The world needs to recognize the key role that those native to these lands play in addressing both the climate crisis and unabated land degradation caused by deforestation and unsustainable farming practices.

Protecting sacred territories such as the Amazon means protecting everyone. Let's all be #climatedefenders.