How to create initiatives in the Amazon rainforest without destroying the environment? That was the big question that guided the lecture “Sustainable Amazon”, presented by Marcelo Rosenbaum, Patricia Cota Gomes, from Imaflora, and Renata Piazzon, from Arapyaú Institute and Possible Amazon, during the first day of Casa Vogue Experience 2019. Together, they reflected on the possible ways to explore nature in a more conscious, sustainable and above all human
“The Amazon needs to be worth standing rather than clearing,” Patricia began by addressing the importance of encouraging and promoting changes in the forest and agricultural sectors to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources. “Consumers have a major role in setting trends, not just in design or architecture, but in production. With a single purchase, they can support an entire production chain that keeps both the forest and the forest standing.” buying is a political act, “he said.
Leading the Institute for Forestry and Agricultural Management and Certification (Imaflora), the environmental engineer entered the Brazilian forests to get to know the indigenous communities and their productions, and to find the best way to connect the people who produce in the forest with the demands. of the cities. Thus was born the Origins Brazil project, which brings together various products that value the work of native peoples and respect their way of life with the guarantee of environmental conservation. “This is more than knowing where we eat, wear or wear on a daily basis. It is shedding light on the value of people’s stories, territories and the responsible connections between who produces and who buys.”
Valuing the forest is valuing those who live on them. But not only that. Urgent and necessary, the rescue and preservation of indigenous ancestry was another issue defended by the speakers. Marcelo Rosenbaum stressed the enormous ethnic diversity present in Brazilian soil and also asked the public about all that we should learn from our ancestors. “There are still people living exactly as they did 30,000 years ago, preserving the forest and living with it in the nation created and called Brazil,” he provoked.
During the conversation, the designer pointed to ways other than extractivism that make the Amazon a creative hub for sustainable design as well. As an example, he presented the Esse Dito Bicho collection, made in partnership with Indians from the lower Rio Negro region, where many families in the lower Rio Negro live off cutting timber. “They have a vocation and knowledge that are not recognized and valued. Knowledge, criticism and fantasy of indigenous culture is our greatest wealth.”
The notorious increase in deforestation in the Amazon region was recalled by Renata Piazzon, manager of the Arapyaú Institute’s Climate Change program. “Brazil is the sixth largest emitter of greenhouse gases. Almost half of this comes from land use, ie deforestation, degradation and conversion of soil to other activities,” he warned. “The Amazon is almost 50% of our territory and we have already lost 40 million hectares of native vegetation.”
Master in environmental law, she is also one of the names behind the Possible Amazon movement, which aims to build solid paths with the industrial sector for sustainable forest development. “Brazil is naturally a world reference in the environment. More than half of the national territory is covered by forests and native vegetation. However, the country has a high rate of deforestation, which has been growing for the last 7 years. More than 90% of deforestation in the country is illegal and this is impermissible. ”
One of the most exciting moments of the conversation was led by Doto Takak Ire, indigenous leader of the Kayapó / Mekrãgnoti people of the State of Pará. Personal friend of Marcelo Rosenbaum, Doto gave his testimony about the tense situation in the forest. “There are people who listen to what happens, but do not believe. There are also people who listen and want to help preserve. The Indian has never deforested and set fire to any land,” he said. “We need to be helped to let our forest stand.”
