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Securing Our Climate Future: Lessons from Amazon Frontlines

SpeakerS:

Telma Ortiz, Associate Manager of External Relations and Strategy, Concordia
Mitch Anderson, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Amazon Frontlines
Dr. Peter Laugharn, President & CEO, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
Nemonte Nenquimo, Co-Founder, Amazon Frontlines

With Lead Programming Partner

“Next month in Los Angeles, Amazon Frontlines will receive the 2024 Hilton Humanitarian Prize, the largest annual prize presented to a nonprofit for humanitarian work contributing to the solution of a major problem and doing something that people did not think could be done.” Dr. Peter Laugharn
“What we're seeing right now is that the Amazon could become the light of a dead star. We can see a sea of green—the satellites can see forest cover—but if we don't stop the deforestation, if we don't stop these threats, the Amazon can turn into a savannah, and that would mean not only the decimation of the livelihoods of indigenous communities but also it would trigger a tipping point that would make it very difficult for us to confront this climate crisis.” Mitch Anderson
“The nonprofit organization Amazon Frontlines has won critical victories for the preservation of the Amazon rainforest, pioneering a dynamic model that integrates Indigenous leadership with cutting-edge legal advocacy and communication strategy. The world is taking note, my dear friends.” Telma Ortiz
“We need to unite the community. With unity you can achieve. Without a movement that includes women you cannot achieve anything.” Nemonte Nenquimo

Key takeaways:

  • Integrating indigenous leadership for climate solutions: Amazon Frontlines, winner of the 2024 Hilton Humanitarian Prize, emphasizes the importance of integrating indigenous leadership with strategic advocacy to effectively preserve rainforests. Indigenous communities possess invaluable wisdom and are custodians of a significant portion of the world’s remaining forests. 
  • Locally rooted strategies for sustainable impact: Solutions to environmental challenges must be rooted in local priorities and cultures, as strategies designed without input from local communities often fail to address the real issues and may not be sustainable. 
  • Cross-Sector collaboration: Building alliances between indigenous communities, activists, legal experts, and organizations enhances the effectiveness of conservation efforts. Such collaborations can lead to precedent-setting global climate victories. 
  • Techl innovation for environmental protection: Leveraging new technologies aids indigenous communities in protecting their forests in real-time from threats like logging and poaching. Access to communications infrastructure, clean water, and solar energy are vital components of these efforts. 
  • Raising global awareness: Publishing works like We Will Be Jaguars aims to reach audiences beyond the climate movement, fostering greater awareness of indigenous perspectives and the importance of rainforest conservation. 
  • Preventing amazon deforestation: Continued deforestation could lead the Amazon to reach a tipping point, turning it into a savannah and triggering catastrophic climate consequences globally. Immediate action is necessary to prevent this outcome.
  • Legal advocacy for environmental protection: Utilizing legal strategies can convert threats into opportunities, advancing precedents that protect indigenous lands and reinforce environmental laws. 
  • Recognition amplifies impact: Receiving accolades like the Hilton Humanitarian Prize acknowledges the effectiveness of Amazon Frontlines’ model and can amplify their impact in addressing the climate crisis. 

Action items:

  • Enhance support for indigenous-led initiatives: Allocate resources and support to initiatives led by indigenous communities, ensuring they have the means to protect their lands and cultures effectively. 
  • Foster cross-sector partnerships: Encourage collaboration between indigenous communities, NGOs, governments, and corporations to develop comprehensive strategies for environmental conservation. 
  • Incorporate local priorities into policy development: Develop policies and conservation strategies that are grounded in the priorities and cultures of local communities to ensure sustainability and effectiveness. 
  • Invest in technology and infrastructure: Provide access to technological tools and infrastructure such as communications systems, clean water solutions, and renewable energy to empower indigenous communities. 
  • Promote awareness through media and education: Support the creation and dissemination of indigenous narratives, like We Will Be Jaguars, to broaden public understanding and engagement with environmental issues. 
  • Advocate for stronger environmental legislation: Utilize legal avenues to strengthen environmental protections and hold accountable those who threaten indigenous lands and ecosystems. 
  • Address root causes of inequality: Tackle socioeconomic inequalities by ensuring that development efforts do not infringe upon fundamental human rights and that they promote equity and justice, aligning with the need for universal protection of human rights in sustainable development.
  • Monitor and prevent deforestation: Implement real-time monitoring systems to detect and prevent illegal logging and other activities that contribute to deforestation.