CHICO MENDES 1944-88.
In: Fifty Key Thinkers on the Environment; 2000, p302-307, 8p; (2000-12-07) S. 302-309
Online
Buch
Zugriff:
This article discusses the life and achievements of Chico Mendes as an environmental activist in Brazil. Mendes, man of courage, words and deeds, hero of the rubber tappers of the Amazon, played a major role in the transformation of the landscape of the Brazilian rainforest. His short life was devoted to leading the rubber tappers' fight to defend the Amazon Forest and its fragile eco-system against exploitation by powerful and wealthy land speculators and ranchers. As a son of rubber tapper and a rubber tapper himself, Mendes knew that the future of the forests and of the rubber tappers were inextricably linked; that in order to secure a future for the people, the forests had to be protected and managed by those who understood the eco-system and how to live in it sustainable. As president of the Xapuri Rural Workers' Union, Mendes organized rubber tappers to prevent the clearing of forests. He founded the National Council of Rubber Tappers, a movement which gained international support for their cause against environmental destruction and passive resistance demonstrations. From these endeavors, Mendes was able to pressure the Brazilian government to establish extractive reserves, which are legally protected forest areas that are held in trust for people who live and work on the land in a sustainable manner. Yet, the most significant element of the legacy of Mendes is the enhanced power and voice of the organizations associated with him and the rubber tappers' cause--the National Council of Rubber Tappers and the Amazon Work Group from whose membership emerged a new generation of environmental leaders and activists.
Titel: |
CHICO MENDES 1944-88.
|
---|---|
Autor/in / Beteiligte Person: | Palmer, Joy A. ; Cooper, David E. ; Corcoran, Peter Blaze |
Link: | |
Quelle: | Fifty Key Thinkers on the Environment; 2000, p302-307, 8p; (2000-12-07) S. 302-309 |
Veröffentlichung: | 2000 |
Medientyp: | Buch |
ISBN: | 978-0-415-14699-9 (print) |
Sonstiges: |
|