The Amazon rainforest is amongst the largest in the world, spanning nine countries including Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia and the three guianas. With nearly 20% of Earth's oxygen being produced by the Amazon, it has earned the nickname, "the lungs of our planet."
Globalization drives the clearing of the Amazon as emerging economies need more and more resources. Huge domestic and foreign markets for timber, soy, beef and cocaine fuel the clearing of the southwestern Amazon.
Brazil's National Institute for Space Research tracks deforestation from outer space. In the month of May of 2011, 268 miles of the Amazon were cleared, a 144% increase since May of last year. 35% of this deforestation occurred in the state of Mato Grosso where agricultural expansion is responsible for much of the clearing. More than 70% of cleared land of the Brazilian Amazon is turned into pasture land for cattle that supplies the fast food industries.
In the northeastern region of the rainforest however, much of the Amazon is still untouched by roads, mining, oil exploration and agricultural expansion. Indigenous tribes such as the Zoro, Diahui, Cinta and Surui have lived in the rainforest for millenia and are as connected to the rainforest as their ancient ancestors were. The Amazon Conservation Team (ACT) is an environmental group of social entrepreneurs who advocate and protect the Amazon by working with indigenous tribes.
ACT has worked with the Surui Indians for more than a decade. By combining the Surui's expertise of the Rondonia and Brazilian border and modern technology, together they mapped their land with GPS systems and labtops. “It brought together generations of ancient knowledge with 21st century technology” says Dr. Mark Plotkin, president of the Amazon Conservation Team.
Dr. Plotkin says globalization can be better managed. “I don't want to see these forests turned into chop sticks for the Chinese or burgers for fast food. There's no easy solution [but] It's never too late.”
By mapping important trees and plants used for medicinal purposes, bodies of water and breeding areas for wildlife, tribes can define their borders and manage and maintain the biodiversity of their land.
The Suruis and other indian tribes were given the rights to their land decades ago by the Brazilian government. Yet they have endured years of grave abuses and murders by loggers and miners who consider any attempt to organize as a threat.
ACT has won $1.6 million from the Skoll Foundation to protect 114 million acres of Amazonian forest through the Biocultural Conservation Corridor initiative. The Skoll Foundation was founded by Jeffery Skoll, the first employee and president of eBay. ACT is the first environmental group to win a Skoll grant. The grant will fund to train indigenous tribes how to be park guards, learn to communicate with state and national governments and provide them with the technology needed.
