Dossier

Amazonia Today

A region between development, destruction and climate protection

Since Jair Bolsonaro took up office as President of Brazil in January 2019, deforestation rates have curved steeply upwards once again. But it should be borne in mind that even under previous presidents, from Lula to Temer, and even with enormous global awareness of the importance of tropical forests and many national and international efforts, deforestation has never been halted altogether. This is why this publication by Thomas Fatheuer aims to investigate the background (and people behind the scenes) as well as the causes of deforestation. For the destruction of the rainforest and obliteration of areas where indigenous peoples and traditional communities live is the result of social and economic processes embedded in the country’s power structures.
Amazonia Today

Amazonia today

Study
The rate of deforestation  in Amazonia during the Bolsonaro era has risen dramatically, now also spurred by the Covid-19 crisis. This publication takes closer look at the complex social, economic and political causes of deforestation and land degradation in the so-called "lungs of the planet".
pdf
Barbara Unmüßig

“All is not yet lost!” – A contemporary look at Amazonia

Commentary
The rain forest is going up in smoke – this is the impression given by the images that have been circling the globe for years. But the digital age means that they now travel faster than ever. There are fires in the Arctic, forests burning in Canada, Siberia, South East Asia and now in Amazonia. It is a cause for concern and incomprehension, as most people are now aware of the importance of the largest tropical forest on earth in climate change and protecting biodiversity.  
By Barbara Unmüßig

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Cruzada São Sebastião

Photo series: The Cruzada São Sebastião in Rio de Janeiro

Photo series
Thousands of people live cheek by jowl in the Cruzada São Sebastião housing project. The coronavirus pandemic has hit them especially hard. Most of them were already living under tough economic conditions and now many of them have lost their jobs. The Afro-Brazilian population has been disproportionately affected by the virus, with racism and inequality thrown into even sharper relief by the pandemic. This is also the experience of the residents of Cruzada São Sebastião.

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