Amazon Watch facts for kids
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Headquarters in Oakland
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| Founded | 1996 |
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| Type | Non-governmental organization |
| Focus | Environmentalism Indigenous rights |
| Location | |
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Area served
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Amazon Basin |
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Key people
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Leila Salazar-Lopez, executive director |
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Revenue
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US$ 1,485,169 (2012) |
| Website | amazonwatch.org |
Amazon Watch is a group that helps protect the Amazon rainforest. It is a nonprofit organization, which means it works for a good cause, not to make money. Founded in 1996, its main office is in Oakland, California.
Amazon Watch works to protect the rainforest and support the Indigenous peoples who live there. They partner with local groups in countries like Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, and Brazil. Their goal is to protect human rights, make sure companies act responsibly, and keep the Amazon's amazing natural systems safe.
Contents
Protecting the Amazon: Important Court Cases
Amazon Watch has supported people in legal cases to protect the Amazon. One important case involved the Lago Agrio oil field in Ecuador. In the past, an oil company called Texaco (later bought by Chevron) explored for oil there.
People living in the area said that the oil operations caused a lot of pollution. They claimed that huge amounts of toxic wastewater were dumped into the rainforest. This was said to be one of the biggest oil-related pollution events ever.
Amazon Watch supported the local people in Ecuador. They wanted Chevron to be held responsible for the pollution. In 2011, a court in Ecuador ordered Chevron to pay a large amount of money. Ecuador's highest court later agreed with this decision.
Amazon Watch also supported a case against another oil company, Occidental, for damage to the Peruvian rainforest. These cases show how Amazon Watch helps communities fight for a clean environment.
Helping Indigenous Communities
Amazon Watch works closely with Indigenous peoples in the Amazon. They help these communities protect their lands and way of life.
Supporting Land Protection
One project Amazon Watch supported was the Yasuni ITT initiative in Ecuador. This idea aimed to keep a large amount of oil underground in Yasuni National Park. In return, Ecuador would receive money that it would have earned from selling the oil. This helps protect a very special and sensitive part of the rainforest.
Amazon Watch also helped the Achuar Indigenous people. They worked with them to stop oil companies from exploring for oil on their lands. This shows how important it is to respect the rights of Indigenous communities.
Training Future Leaders
Amazon Watch also supports a special school. This school trains Indigenous leaders. It teaches them how to defend their rights and lands against big oil and mining companies. This helps communities stand up for themselves.
Fighting Against Big Dams
In Brazil, the government started building a very large dam called the Belo Monte dam. This dam is on the Xingu River, a major river in the Amazon. The dam would change the river's flow and flood a huge area of rainforest. This would force many people to move from their homes.
Amazon Watch works with local people and other groups to show the world the dam's harmful effects. They highlight how it impacts local and Indigenous populations.
Protecting the Amazon Environment
Amazon Watch also focuses on the bigger picture of protecting the Amazon.
Stopping Deforestation
The Amazon rainforest is facing a big threat from deforestation. This means forests are being cut down at a very fast rate. Reports show that a large part of the Amazon has been destroyed or damaged in the last 30 years. This is often because land is cleared for farming or for big projects like oil pipelines, dams, and roads.
Amazon Watch warns that if deforestation continues, the Amazon could reach a point where it cannot recover. They work to raise awareness about this serious problem.
Global Efforts
To increase their efforts, Amazon Watch set up a separate group called Amazon Watch Sweden in 2014. This helps them raise money and spread their message in Europe.
In 2016, Amazon Watch released a report. It said that oil imports by the United States were causing rainforest destruction in the Amazon. This also led to more greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change.
In 2020, an environmental group called Mobilize Earth released a short film called Guardians of Life. This film was part of a series to highlight important issues facing the planet. Money raised from this project went to Amazon Watch and another group called Extinction Rebellion.
See also
In Spanish: Amazon Watch para niños
