Amazon communities hope COP30 brings change

Key Concepts

• Acai berries: A traditional Amazonian staple that has become a global superfood, representing a successful model for local income generation while preserving the forest.
• Kilombo: Communities founded by runaway African slaves seeking refuge in the Amazon forest, now home to traditional communities.
• COP 30: A significant international conference (Conference of the Parties) that traditional Amazonian communities see as an opportunity to advocate for sustainable development and gain global recognition.
• Agroforestry: A sustainable farming method that integrates trees and shrubs into crop and animal farming systems, aiming to improve soil health and reduce environmental impact.
• Ayahuasca: A sacred beverage used for physical and spiritual healing by indigenous communities in the Amazon.
• Maraka House: A headquarters in Belém for young indigenous leaders and communicators advocating for their voices to be heard at COP 30.

Acai Berry Harvesting and Economic Impact

Acai berries, harvested from palm trees in the Amazon, have transitioned from a traditional staple to a global superfood. This success story in Brazil demonstrates how local traditions can generate income while contributing to forest conservation. Haundo Silva, a lifelong palm tree climber, expresses satisfaction with his income but believes the rewards for acai harvesting should be greater, stating, "The asai is essential for us. That's what we rely on to make a living. But I do think we should get a bit more money for it." A significant portion of these berries are processed for consumption within local communities, such as the Kilumbo Gurupa on Marajou Island.

Kilombo Communities and COP 30 Advocacy

Kilombos are historical communities established by runaway African slaves who found refuge in the Amazon. For these traditional communities, including indigenous peoples, riverside dwellers, and Afro-descendant groups, COP 30 presents a crucial platform. They aim to draw global attention to the urgent need for sustainable development that safeguards both their livelihoods and the integrity of the Amazon rainforest.

Sustainable Pineapple Farming and Support Needs

Pineapple farming is another vital income source for small farmers on Marajou Island. Some producers are actively transitioning towards more sustainable practices by gradually adopting agroforestry methods, recognizing that traditional farming can deplete soil over time. However, a producer highlights the need for increased support to invest in these sustainable production methods: "We keep wondering what kind of return we'll get from COP 30. There's talk of billions of Amazon phones. But look at our reality. We're still working manually when government support should have reached us long ago."

Value Addition and Community Visibility

At a local cooperative, family farmers are enhancing the value of their pineapples by processing them into frozen pulp. This process allows them to earn more than they would by selling the raw fruit. This initiative is also tied to a broader goal of increased visibility: "Many times we're invisible to the world. People don't know who we are, the traditional peoples, but we are here. And with COP 30, we want to be seen, to show ourselves to the world, and to say that we are a people that we are here working."

Indigenous Perspectives on Ayahuasca and Reforestation

On the other side of the Amazon, near the Peruvian border in the state of Acre, Ziko Kanawa, a leader of an indigenous community on the Tejo River, is preparing Ayahuasca. This sacred beverage is used for physical and spiritual healing by various indigenous Amazonian communities. Chief Kanawa expresses hope that COP 30 will lead to increased support for Brazil's efforts to protect the Amazon. He emphasizes the global responsibility for its preservation: "For Brazil to take care of the Amazon, it needs support from everyone from all countries with resources for reforestation because it has been greatly devastated. What we need is support from everyone from the whole world to make this happen."

Indigenous Leadership and the Fight for Land

In Belém, the capital of Pará State and the host city for COP 30, the Maraka House serves as a hub for young indigenous leaders and communicators. They are actively working to ensure their voices are heard during the conference. A representative states, "For us, COP30 is where the planet's future will be decided. There's no way to hold it without indigenous people. The fight for land is the mother of all struggles. We are the ones who protected the springs and the forest. We are the ones ensuring clean air for everyone."

Conclusion: Hope for Recognition and Real Change

As the world turns to the Amazon for solutions to climate change and sustainability challenges, its traditional peoples are hopeful that COP 30 will finally bring them recognition and tangible change. They aspire for the support and acknowledgment to reach the communities that have been stewards of this vital forest for centuries.