The demarcation of Indigenous territories in Brazil is essential for protecting the environment and helping the world combat climate change. Indigenous peoples sustainably care for nature, and their lands store large amounts of carbon, which helps balance the climate. Indigenous areas experience less deforestation because these communities use the land without destroying it.
Indigenous lands in Brazil store 25.5% of the country’s carbon and nearly one-fifth of all Amazon species. They also contain one-third of the carbon in forests across Latin America and the Caribbean — and 14% of the carbon in tropical forests worldwide. In Indigenous territories, deforestation rates are lower than in unprotected areas. Moreover, the rainfall generated by these forests sustains 80% of Brazil’s agriculture, which represents over half of the country’s agricultural income.
Additionally, the European Union recognizes that without Indigenous peoples, it will be much harder to achieve global climate goals, such as reducing emissions and preserving biodiversity. However, in Brazil, many of these territories have not yet been officially recognized, and violent invasions continue. Legal challenges, such as the "Marco Temporal" doctrine, threaten to limit Indigenous peoples' rights to their lands, driven by economic interests tied to industries linked to deforestation, such as agribusiness.
Without demarcation, there is no forest. Without forests, there is no stable climate. And without a stable climate, there is no future for anyone. Leave your message and share your thoughts about the importance of demarcating Indigenous lands.