Discover the Voices defending the Amazon

Indigenous leaders, artists and communicators are shaping the future of one of Earth's most important ecosystems.

Why the Amazon matters

Indigenous Leadership

Child sitting on a parent’s shoulders looking upward during a protest march

Protect the Amazon by supporting indigenous leadership

Indigenous woman leader from the Amazon wearing a traditional feather headdress, representing Indigenous leadership, territorial defense, and climate action for rainforest protection

Read stories and perspectives from indigenous leaders

Indigenous environmental artwork highlighting the impact of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest and the role of art in climate activism and Indigenous resistance

Explore Art, Music and Literature from the Amazon

Indigenous media creator documenting Amazon rainforest stories through video production to strengthen Indigenous voices and environmental advocacy

Learn about indigenous community journalism

New to Amazon Issues?

1. Why the Amazon matters?

The Amazon is not just a forest - it's a global life system

The Amazon rainforest helps regulate the planet's climate, stores massive amounts of carbon, and produces rainfall that affects weather far beyond South America. It's one of Earths most important ecosystems. It holds unmatched biodiversity and approximately 20% of our planet's fresh water reserves.

2. What is happening to the Amazon?

The Amazon is under accelerating pressure.

Large parts of the rainforest are threatened by industrial expansion, illegal extraction, and infrastructure projects that fragment ecosystems and displace communities.

Key issues:

Deforestation from cattle ranching and agriculture
Illegal logging and mining
Land grabbing and fires
Road and infrastructure expansion

3. Indigenous Leadership in the Amazon

Indigenous Peoples are the most effective protectors of the forest.

Indigenous communities have lived in and cared for the Amazon for generations. Their territories consistently show some of the lowest deforestation rates in the region, reflecting their long-standing ecological knowledge, sustainable land management practices, active protection against illegal activities, and strong cultural and spiritual ties to the land.

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4. Culture, Art & Communication

Protecting the Amazon is also cultural survival.

Indigenous artists, storytellers, and communicators use music, film, painting, and journalism to share their perspectives and defend their territories. Through art as a form of resistance and education, they preserve languages and cultural traditions, empower youth-led storytelling and media initiatives, and raise global awareness about Indigenous cultures, rights, and environmental protection.

5. Traditional knowledge, modern science