Since 2019, the Brazilian Amazon has seen record-breaking levels of fires and destruction. Under the Bolsonaro administration, the levels of destruction have skyrocketed and continue to worsen each year as his rhetoric and policies encourage land grabbing, destruction, and violence against Indigenous peoples.

This crisis is not only a threat to Brazil and the Amazon, but to the global climate. Last year, the Amazon reached its ecological tipping point and will soon pass the point of no return if deforestation continues.

In the face of not only government inaction, but policies that encourage burning, community response to combat fires is critical. Direct financial support sustains these efforts, and through the Casa Socio-Environmental, Amazon Watch and other international allies provide solidarity funds to strengthen fire brigades, develop integrated fire management, and also to support mobilizations, engagements with officials, and public denunciations.

With the national elections coming up, we must secure explicit and tangible commitments from incoming leaders for the protection of the Amazon’s biodiversity and the rights of those who keep the forest standing. But Indigenous peoples and the Amazon rainforest can’t afford to wait for elections to take place – we need an “Amazon CeaseFire” now!