https://news.mongabay.com/list/latin-america/ Environmental science and conservation news Mon, 09 Oct 2023 08:43:01 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3 https://imgs.mongabay.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2020/05/16160320/cropped-mongabay_icon-32x32.png https://news.mongabay.com/list/latin-america/ 32 32 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/plan-to-bring-mennonite-farmers-to-suriname-sparks-deforestation-fears/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/plan-to-bring-mennonite-farmers-to-suriname-sparks-deforestation-fears/#respond 09 Oct 2023 08:00:03 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=274007 - Mennonite farmers have faced criticism for clearing thousands of hectares of forest across Latin America, often in protected areas and Indigenous territories.
- The company behind the project is called Terra Invest Suriname & Guyana, and plans to purchase as much as 30,000 hectares (about 74,000 acres) for approximately 1,000 Mennonite families.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/plan-to-bring-mennonite-farmers-to-suriname-sparks-deforestation-fears/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/restoring-degraded-forests-may-be-key-for-climate-study-says/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/restoring-degraded-forests-may-be-key-for-climate-study-says/#respond 06 Oct 2023 15:41:20 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=274049 - In Central America’s “Five Great Forests,” there’s a goal to restore 500,000 hectares (1.2 million acres) by 2030. The study identified 9.8 million hectares (24.2 billion acres) as top restoration priorities, with 91% being degraded forests.
- Restoring just 5% of these priority zones was calculated to potentially sequester 113 million tons of CO2, equivalent to taking more than 20 million cars off the road for a year.
- The research emphasizes the importance of involving local communities in restoration planning and suggests that current forest management practices, like those in the timber industry, need to adapt for more sustainable outcomes.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/restoring-degraded-forests-may-be-key-for-climate-study-says/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/99-of-caatinga-biome-could-lose-plant-species-due-to-climate-change-study/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/99-of-caatinga-biome-could-lose-plant-species-due-to-climate-change-study/#respond 06 Oct 2023 10:29:40 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=274035 - Even though the species in the biome are theoretically adapted to extreme climates, researchers found that the Caatinga is much more vulnerable to climate changes than previously believed.
- Protecting the more sensitive areas and restoring landscape vegetation connectivity is crucial for the resilience of Caatinga ecosystems; the biome is one of Brazil’s least protected, as less than 9% of its area lies within Conservation Units.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/99-of-caatinga-biome-could-lose-plant-species-due-to-climate-change-study/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/sustainable-infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-in-search-of-an-oxymoron/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/sustainable-infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-in-search-of-an-oxymoron/#respond 05 Oct 2023 16:30:05 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273811 - Author Timothy J. Killeen is an academic and expert who, since the 1980s, has studied the rainforests of Brazil and Bolivia, where he lived for more than 35 years.
- Chronicling the efforts of nine Amazonian countries to curb deforestation, this edition provides an overview of the topics most relevant to the conservation of the region’s biodiversity, ecosystem services and Indigenous cultures, as well as a description of the conventional and sustainable development models that are vying for space within the regional economy.
- Click the “A Perfect Storm in the Amazon” link atop this page to see chapters 1-13 as they are published during 2023.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/sustainable-infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-in-search-of-an-oxymoron/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/brazils-indigenous-women-march-again-for-the-rights-of-their-people-and-lives/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/brazils-indigenous-women-march-again-for-the-rights-of-their-people-and-lives/#respond 05 Oct 2023 09:53:05 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273946 - Aware of the role of Indigenous peoples in preserving biodiversity, the meeting was scheduled to discuss climate emergencies and the importance of Indigenous women’s participation in the U.N. Climate Conference, to be held in Belém, in northern Brazil, in 2025.
- Amid debates in Brazil’s Federal Supreme Court, the demarcation of Indigenous territories was brought to the top of the list of urgent issues at this year’s march.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/brazils-indigenous-women-march-again-for-the-rights-of-their-people-and-lives/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/investing-in-the-pan-amazon-how-chinas-investment-operates/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/investing-in-the-pan-amazon-how-chinas-investment-operates/#respond 04 Oct 2023 16:09:31 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273795 - Author Timothy J. Killeen is an academic and expert who, since the 1980s, has studied the rainforests of Brazil and Bolivia, where he lived for more than 35 years.
- Chronicling the efforts of nine Amazonian countries to curb deforestation, this edition provides an overview of the topics most relevant to the conservation of the region’s biodiversity, ecosystem services and Indigenous cultures, as well as a description of the conventional and sustainable development models that are vying for space within the regional economy.
- Click the “A Perfect Storm in the Amazon” link atop this page to see chapters 1-13 as they are published during 2023.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/investing-in-the-pan-amazon-how-chinas-investment-operates/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/cacao-and-cupuacu-emerge-as-amazons-bioeconomy-showcases/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/cacao-and-cupuacu-emerge-as-amazons-bioeconomy-showcases/#respond 04 Oct 2023 07:00:56 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273763 - Selling high-end chocolate made from both of these closely related pods increases the value of the products and also allows local communities to earn higher incomes, thereby giving them an incentive not to deforest.
- Portable biofactories are also set to teach traditional communities how to make bean-to-bar premium chocolate products, helping to increase the value of the raw cacao by up to 2,000%.
- These projects are part of an emerging bioeconomy in the Amazonian region, which experts say will keep the rainforest standing while also lifting the region’s population out of poverty.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/cacao-and-cupuacu-emerge-as-amazons-bioeconomy-showcases/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/amazon-drought-cuts-river-traffic-leaves-communities-without-water-and-supplies/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/amazon-drought-cuts-river-traffic-leaves-communities-without-water-and-supplies/#respond 03 Oct 2023 18:35:33 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273834 - This year’s drought is exacerbated by two simultaneous natural events, the main one being El Niño, that inhibit the formation of rain clouds, further reducing the already low rainfall recorded during the dry season.
- More than 100 Amazonian river dolphins were found dead in a lake in Amazonas state, likely due to high water temperatures and low water levels, according to researchers.
- The state of Amazonas is preparing for the worst drought in its history, which will affect 500,000 people by the end of October; the federal government has created a task force to mitigate the impacts, promising to send water, food and medicine.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/amazon-drought-cuts-river-traffic-leaves-communities-without-water-and-supplies/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/rechargeable-battery-industry-needs-better-mining-regulations-report-says/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/rechargeable-battery-industry-needs-better-mining-regulations-report-says/#respond 29 Sep 2023 20:35:41 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273753 - Many of the companies have flawed or lacking standards for negotiating with local and Indigenous communities, who often don’t have the power to reject mining projects that have negative environmental impacts.
- The report urged companies to publicly commit to respecting the individual and collective rights of Indigenous peoples and to document the results of all community engagements.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/rechargeable-battery-industry-needs-better-mining-regulations-report-says/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-public-private-partnerships/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-public-private-partnerships/#respond 27 Sep 2023 14:00:54 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273636 - Author Timothy J. Killeen is an academic and expert who, since the 1980s, has studied the rainforests of Brazil and Bolivia, where he lived for more than 35 years.
- Chronicling the efforts of nine Amazonian countries to curb deforestation, this edition provides an overview of the topics most relevant to the conservation of the region’s biodiversity, ecosystem services and Indigenous cultures, as well as a description of the conventional and sustainable development models that are vying for space within the regional economy.
- Click the “A Perfect Storm in the Amazon” link atop this page to see chapters 1-13 as they are published during 2023.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-public-private-partnerships/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/from-orinoco-to-amazon-indigenous-warao-struggle-in-search-of-refuge/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/from-orinoco-to-amazon-indigenous-warao-struggle-in-search-of-refuge/#respond 27 Sep 2023 10:30:33 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273679 - In Belém, the Warao live in poor housing conditions, face problems communicating, and suffer prejudice when searching for jobs; without access to natural resources, most of them survive by begging for money on the streets.
- In 2023, a Belém city councilor worked closely with the Warao to pass legislation in record time on migration policies addressing these and other issues faced by refugees to the city.
- To date, Belém remains the only city in Brazil with specific legal protection for Indigenous refugees.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/from-orinoco-to-amazon-indigenous-warao-struggle-in-search-of-refuge/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-finance-what-is-new-and-what-is-not/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-finance-what-is-new-and-what-is-not/#respond 26 Sep 2023 15:14:47 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273624 - Author Timothy J. Killeen is an academic and expert who, since the 1980s, has studied the rainforests of Brazil and Bolivia, where he lived for more than 35 years.
- Chronicling the efforts of nine Amazonian countries to curb deforestation, this edition provides an overview of the topics most relevant to the conservation of the region’s biodiversity, ecosystem services and Indigenous cultures, as well as a description of the conventional and sustainable development models that are vying for space within the regional economy.
- Click the “A Perfect Storm in the Amazon” link atop this page to see chapters 1-13 as they are published during 2023.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-finance-what-is-new-and-what-is-not/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/peruvian-amazon-wounds-remain-after-50-years-of-oil-spills-on-achuar-land/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/peruvian-amazon-wounds-remain-after-50-years-of-oil-spills-on-achuar-land/#respond 26 Sep 2023 13:20:18 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273646 - Journalists from Mongabay Latam traveled to four areas — Shiviyacu, Forestal, Huayuri and Teniente López — where there were pipelines, puddles of oil, barrels with potential contaminants and oil-covered creeks and plants.
- According to the environmental authority, José Olaya is the location of eight of the 171 “impacted sites” that the Peruvian government has registered so far. There are 3,170 environmental liabilities caused by oil in the rest of the country.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/peruvian-amazon-wounds-remain-after-50-years-of-oil-spills-on-achuar-land/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/in-sao-paulos-cityscape-community-gardens-prompt-a-new-food-paradigm/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/in-sao-paulos-cityscape-community-gardens-prompt-a-new-food-paradigm/#respond 22 Sep 2023 10:32:57 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273571 - The project’s largest garden, beneath transmission lines run by power utility Enel, measures nearly 1 hectare (2.5 acres) and produces up to 6 metric tons of 33 different types of leafy and root vegetables per month.
- One-third of São Paulo territory is zoned as rural, with more than 700 commercial agricultural units registered on the city’s Sampa+Rural platform, contribute to food security and helping fight climate change impacts.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/in-sao-paulos-cityscape-community-gardens-prompt-a-new-food-paradigm/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/brazil-supreme-court-quashes-time-frame-proposal-in-win-for-indigenous-rights/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/brazil-supreme-court-quashes-time-frame-proposal-in-win-for-indigenous-rights/#respond 22 Sep 2023 04:19:08 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273553 - Indigenous people and organizations hailed the decision as a victory for human rights in Brazil after years of protesting against the legal challenge.
- Activists remain cautious, however, as ministers seek to reach a middle ground between ruralists and Indigenous people, which could affect demarcation processes and encourage economic activities on traditional land.
- The points proposed for a possible agreement include compensating non-Indigenous people for land granted to Native communities and allowing economic activities such as agribusiness on traditional territories.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/brazil-supreme-court-quashes-time-frame-proposal-in-win-for-indigenous-rights/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-railroad-development/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-railroad-development/#respond 21 Sep 2023 20:44:23 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273454 - Author Timothy J. Killeen is an academic and expert who, since the 1980s, has studied the rainforests of Brazil and Bolivia, where he lived for more than 35 years.
- Chronicling the efforts of nine Amazonian countries to curb deforestation, this edition provides an overview of the topics most relevant to the conservation of the region’s biodiversity, ecosystem services and Indigenous cultures, as well as a description of the conventional and sustainable development models that are vying for space within the regional economy.
- Click the “A Perfect Storm in the Amazon” link atop this page to see chapters 1-13 as they are published during 2023.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-railroad-development/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/eu-bill-and-new-green-policies-spur-progress-on-brazils-cattle-tracking/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/eu-bill-and-new-green-policies-spur-progress-on-brazils-cattle-tracking/#respond 21 Sep 2023 18:49:26 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273515 - Even the powerful Brazilian Agriculture and Livestock Confederation (CNA) recognizes the cattle tracking demand and proposes a traceability model to the federal government.
- A new study shows that existing cattle companies’ zero-deforestation commitments have reduced Brazilian Amazon deforestation by 15% and that the devastation could be halved by scaling up the implementation of supply chain policies.
- The ideal animal tracking model is individual, but experts defend a middle-of-the-road solution to reduce illegal deforestation based on cross-referencing from inter-ranch cattle transport data and the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR).
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/eu-bill-and-new-green-policies-spur-progress-on-brazils-cattle-tracking/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/lost-brazilian-holly-tree-species-found-again-after-nearly-200-years/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/lost-brazilian-holly-tree-species-found-again-after-nearly-200-years/#respond 21 Sep 2023 18:43:09 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273537 - The team located four trees, two male and two female, in a forest fragment near a sugarcane plantation in the metropolitan region of the city of Recife.
- The trees live in an area that was once Atlantic Forest, but now less than 7% of its original forest biome remains, mostly in small fragments.
- Researchers plan to search for more trees, protect the rediscovered site, and collect seeds for germination, but say these efforts will be costly.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/lost-brazilian-holly-tree-species-found-again-after-nearly-200-years/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/sao-paulo-indigenous-community-pins-its-territorial-hopes-on-a-new-village/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/sao-paulo-indigenous-community-pins-its-territorial-hopes-on-a-new-village/#respond 20 Sep 2023 19:09:51 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273422 - The Guarani are seeking recognition from the Brazilian government for a total of 532 hectares (1,315 acres) of land in the São Paulo area that’s home to some 800 Indigenous people.
- But a bill working its way through Congress could nix that claim; if passed, any claims to land occupied after the cutoff date of Oct. 5, 1988, would be rejected.
- Government officials including the minister of Indigenous peoples and the head of the Indigenous affairs agency recently visited the Guarani village to offer support, but said no official demarcation will happen this year.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/sao-paulo-indigenous-community-pins-its-territorial-hopes-on-a-new-village/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-waterway-options/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-waterway-options/#respond 20 Sep 2023 16:40:31 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273441 - Author Timothy J. Killeen is an academic and expert who, since the 1980s, has studied the rainforests of Brazil and Bolivia, where he lived for more than 35 years.
- Chronicling the efforts of nine Amazonian countries to curb deforestation, this edition provides an overview of the topics most relevant to the conservation of the region’s biodiversity, ecosystem services and Indigenous cultures, as well as a description of the conventional and sustainable development models that are vying for space within the regional economy.
- Click the “A Perfect Storm in the Amazon” link atop this page to see chapters 1-13 as they are published during 2023.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-waterway-options/feed/ 0