Photo: © Michael Clark, CauseCentric Productions
The Vale do Javari indigenous territory in the Brazilian Amazon is home to the largest number of uncontacted tribes living in isolation. Perhaps this idea makes it difficult for a lot of us to relate with these tribes, and perhaps even understand why we should care about them.
But this region, and these tribes, are more connected to the global systems that underpin our lifestyles than we think. This is why Céline, and other international experts, have been asked to come and speak about many topics surrounding the connection between indigenous peoples and conservation at the upcoming World Conservation Congress of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
A Marubo body painting session in the main Maloka at the village of Rio Novo in the Vale do Javari, Brazil. © Michael Clark, CauseCentric Productions
Under the theme of “Planet at the crossroads”, this congress brings together not only conservation experts, but also people from business and government, to devise solutions to support the collapsing ecosystems that support our economies and well-being, like the Vale do Javari.
Ok, so what does this have to do with you, with me or with anyone else but the tribes themselves? Well, the Javari tribes are facing multiple threats such as: loss of land, health crises, illegal fishing, hunting, and logging, drug trafficking, and gold mining. These threats won’t just impact the tribes, but will also affect the benefits that we all derive from the Amazon. Here are just four of such benefits:
- A giant air conditioner and climate regulator: The industries that allow our current economies to thrive are built based on existing climates and available resources; megacities were built close to waterways and coasts; and entire populations survive and sometimes even thrive thanks to food sources such as fish from the ocean and fruits from the forests. As the world’s biggest rainforest, the Amazon plays a crucial role in ensuring that the climates and resources we depend on are sustained. Scientists estimate that trees in the Amazon contain more carbon than 10 years’ worth of human produced greenhouse gases. The tribes who inhabit this rainforest are essential to protecting it and ensuring its sustainable use. Growing demand for agricultural products and biofuels; and infrastructure investments such as dams and mining operations, could led to a tipping point where too much deforestation could cause a big die back of the Amazon Forest. This tipping point has been estimated at 20% deforestation of the Amazon- we are currently already at about 17-18%…. Less tree coverage means reducing the capacity of the rainforests to absorb carbon dioxide, and play their role as giant air conditioners. The widespread process of clearing land by burning further exacerbates the issue by releasing huge amounts of C02. Studies have shown remote effects of Amazon deforestation in the western Pacific and in North America, so much beyond just the region itself.
An expansive view from a commercial jet flying over the Amazon from Manaus to Tabatinga. © Michael Clark, CauseCentric Productions
- Free services: The Amazon alone hosts about 10% of the world’s known biodiversity, this diversity provides services that enable many industries to thrive- but we very rarely capture these services in balance sheets. Research has estimated that the 3000 largest publicly listed companies are exposed to US$ 2.15tn of profits at risk due to their impact on the environment (UNPRI, 2010). Pollinators such as bees, hummingbird and bats are a great example- their contribution to global agricultural output could be worth around US$ 190 billion per year. In the Amazon, research on major crops suggests that their productivity could be as much as 50% reliant on having pollinators around. Other services provided by rich diversity include water regulation, erosion control, climate regulation and food provision. Given the richness of the Amazon, it is not difficult to imagine how its destruction could impact our global economy, and how key it is for us to begin valuing these services.
The view looking upriver on the Rio Iuti from an old Matis village in the Vale do Javari near Atalaia do Norte in Brazil. © Michael Clark, CauseCentric Productions
- Super foods and breakthrough medicines: Many indigenous populations have developed invaluable knowledge as to the nutritional and medicinal value of their surrounding plants. Building on this knowledge and on contemporary research, it is estimated that over a quarter of the medicines we use today have their origins in the rainforest. Imagine that only about 1% of rainforest plants have been examined for their medicinal properties- that means there is huge potential out there. However, if these lands and their people disappear- that potential is destroyed. In 2015 researchers warned that 57% of the 15,000 Amazonian tree species – including Brazil nut, wild cacao and açai – face extinction if current land clearance continues.
Céline Cousteau picks CamuCamu which are becoming increasingly popular as a health supplement for its antioxidant properties. © Carrie Vonderhaar, Ocean Futures Society
- A disappearing cultural heritage: We visit museums and marvel at past civilizations and their rituals, knowledge and lifestyles. We are often fascinated by stories of Ancient Egypt or Mayan civilizations and many of us mourn the death of native languages and diversity of local traditions diversity in the wake of an ever globalizing world. It is almost a miracle to think that there are still untouched tribes living amongst us- they represent an incredible testament to our human diversity, one we should protect and respect. Contacted tribes hold a wealth of information on how we can sustainably manage our forests- their disappearance represents a great loss to humanity as a whole.
The Matis village of Tawaya on the Rio Bronco in the Vale do Javari, Brazil. © Michael Clark, CauseCentric Productions
We all depend on the health of the Amazon for our survival and well-being.
If you are going to the IUCN World Congress, please join us on Sept 3rd at 5pm in Room 314-UNDP Kauhale for a partial screening of our film “Tribes on the Edge” and discussion about the tribes of the Vale do Javari, focusing on not only the challenges they face but the solutions we propose and explore with our audience.
Our nonprofit partner, Amazon Watch, will be working with us to defend indigenous land rights in Brazil in an unprecedented advocacy effort as part of our impact campaign for “Tribes on the Edge”. Please consider supporting our efforts to protect and preserve the Amazon’s people and in doing so, protect the ecosystem we all depend on.
Nathalie Chalmers
Guest Blogger