International Rivers is mourning the loss of our Amazon program director Glenn Switkes, a dear friend, respected colleague, and a river warrior of unbreakable passion. Glenn died on December 21 in a São Paolo hospital of complications linked to lung cancer. He was 58.
Glenn was a man of rare integrity, great humor, and political savvy. He was a much-loved inspiration and teacher to river defenders, and an effective thorn in the side of river-wrecking politicians and bureaucrats. Heartfelt tributes to Glenn have been flowing in to International Rivers from activists throughout Brazil, Latin America and the world.
Glenn devoted most of the last two decades of his life to the cause of keeping the rivers of South America, especially in the Amazon, flowing free of dams and shipping channels.
Born in New York City to working-class parents, Glenn studied history at Columbia University and filmmaking at the University of California, Berkeley. While still a student he worked with Randy Hayes and Toby McLeod on his first film, the award-winning “Four Corners: A National Sacrifice Area?” The film shows the depredations of mining on the Native Americans and desert landscapes of the southwestern US.
Glenn first went to the Amazon on the urging of his Colombian first wife, Monti Aguirre. Inspired by the beauty of the Amazon, the culture and wisdom of its Indians, and horrified at the impacts of deforestation and dam-building, Glenn and Monti together made the award-winning documentary “Amazonia: Voices of the Rainforest.” The Washington Post described the film as “a subtle global warning . . . less about destruction than instruction. [It] allows many voices to be heard, not only the exploited and the exploiters but, more subtly and most eloquently, the Amazon forest itself: It appears both lushly rich and dirt ravaged.”
The film was sponsored by Rainforest Action Network. After its completion Glenn joined RAN as its Western Amazon oil campaigner.
Glenn joined International Rivers Network in 1994. Together with his second wife, Selma Barros de Oliveira, he soon moved to Mato Grosso, Brazil, to help put together a coalition to save the Paraguay-Paraná river system, and especially the Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical wetland, from the threat of a huge channelization project. The multinational Ríos Vivos coalition was a textbook example of effective NGO strategizing and action. The Pantanal’s wildlife and traditional, tourist and ranching economies are still vibrant today thanks to the success of Glenn and Ríos Vivos in fighting off the “Hidrovía” waterway.
As the danger to the Pantanal receded, Glenn became involved in numerous struggles against dams and for the rights of dam-affected people, especially along the Tocantins and Tapajós rivers in the Brazilian Amazon; the Uruguay and Paraná basins in southern Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay; and in Chilean Patagonia.
In recent years, Glenn’s focus was on stopping the damming of two of the great Amazon rivers, the Madeira and Xingu. Cynical political maneuvering from the Brazilian government has meant that construction on the two Madeira dams has begun. The Xingu remains spared from the massive Belo Monte Dam, at least for now, in large part thanks to Glenn’s work with the Kayapó and other Xingu Indians, with national and local NGOs, and MAB, Brazil’s movement of people affected by dams. Glenn coordinated the production of two books exposing the high social and environmental costs and distorted justifications of the Madeira and Xingú dams.
Glenn had a rare capacity to work closely with and gain the respect and friendship of academics and policy wonks, as well as grassroots movements of peasants and fisherpeople, and Indian tribes. He was an expert on Brazilian energy and environment policy, and had a keen understanding of Brazilian politics, on both the government and civil society levels. His political analysis – and his sharp wit – can be seen through his excellent blog.
Glenn was filled with contradictions. A Brooklyn boy with a life-long passion for the New York Yankees, while an avid defender of wild places; a gentle peace-loving man who approached a good political fight with a twinkle in his eye. A man who could spot political bullshitting from a great distance, while, all who knew him would surely agree, being no stranger to circumlocution.
Among Glenn’s many loves beyond his family and the Amazon were brewing beer, his dogs, cooking and eating good food (especially Thai and Brazilian), film (especially Hitchcock), baseball and soccer, and music. Glenn loved all music that had heart and soul, from early rock 'n' roll and doo-wop, through rock music, especially the Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan and Lou Reed, and on to what seemed like all the music of the world. Glenn loved a party and enlivened many of them with his guitar playing and singing.
Glenn and baby Gabo
Glenn and Selma have a seven-year-old son, Gabriel. Gabo was Glenn's biggest joy, and in recent years the driving force behind his passionate defense of the environment. The first thing Glenn would do on visits back to our Berkeley office was to pull out the latest photos of Gabo.
Glenn was the soul of International Rivers. He leaves a gaping hole in our organization and in the international movement of river activists. We will miss his songs (often with mangled words) booming through our office during his visits to Berkeley, his irreverent humor, his boundless energy, his infectious and tumultuous personality. We will honor and celebrate his life with a renewed fighting spirit for the rivers of the Amazon and elsewhere – and a good party.
Like Selma and Gabriel, we deeply appreciate the love and support that we have received from Glenn’s many friends around the world. We will inform you about plans to honor Glenn’s life soon.
Patrick McCully, on behalf of the entire staff and board of International Rivers
More information:
A fund is being set up for Glenn and Selma's son Gabriel.
Checks should be made out to:
Selma Barros de Oliveira
and mailed to:
Selma Barros de Oliveira
c/o International Rivers
2150 Allston Way, Suite 300
Berkeley, CA 94704
A memorial service will be held in Kensington, California on Jan. 17. Please contact our office (510.848.1155) for more information.
I am saddened to have learned about Glenn's death since returning from Haiti. It was an honor to have collaborated with him and Monte on "Amazonia: Voices from the Rainforest." Glenn was always quick to share his passion and knowledge. I will always hold his courage and resoluteness in my memory and my heart.
Bless you Glenn!!
Kevin Pina
I am very sad to know that Glenn has left us. He was a lighthouse for many of us working with rivers and environmental justice, one of the main supporters of my PhD research in Brazil, back in 2001. He was generous with his time with friends and with anyone interested in save rivers. Last time we had dinner together at their apartment in São Paulo. Glenn was telling me about his new projects full of beautiful dreams with his film production lab and his retreat with Selma and Gabriel at their sustainable ranch in Minas Gerais.
Thank you for bringing beauty and inspiration to our lives!
This is extremely sad news. I only knew Glenn through email but his passion for the Amazon and his work shone through. The world needs more people like Glenn around.
HelloMy name is Jonny Pedersen,norwegian living in São Paulo.Photographer and cinematograph.
Glenn i meet just 6-7 months ago here in São Paulo.I was recommended to contact him by Sue Cunningham.
I meet first Selma togehter with their dog Café, and after.. i had the pleasure to meet Glenn and become friend with him. He was a great man, quiet but with enormouse strenght in his personality.I we talk about protecting the forest, and i told him... really.. i have never cared for it... i just explore and use it... i love to hunt, so i use the forest...Then Gelnn looked at me.. like a father looks to his son and answered dried...."Well... without the forest... there is no place for the animal to breed, and no place for you to hunt... so.." and then i knew i had to join... He told me about norwegian companies that are involved in Xingu-project... and about Aracruz, that was owned by a norwegian and his wife is the sister of the norwegian king...
After joining him, it has become a passion for me to learn and know more... and he was a great teacher.. and patient with me. I'm a proffesisional filmfotografer and we talk a lot about film and going together and shoot together...I hope i get the uppertunity to work for the organization and continue Glenn's work..
And shoot many films in his spirit and lovecaring areas...
I am another of those just discovering that we've lost Glenn, one of the most important environmental and social activists in Latin America. I met him only once, years ago in Brazil, at a conference at which we were both speaking, but communicated with him several times about work-related topics, and was always struck by his intelligence, ability and basic humanity. My deepest condolences go out to his family, friends and IR colleagues.
Glenn, I am still in shock at your passing, which I heard about just yesterday. Thank you for helping me with my reporting in Brazil - you opened my eyes to a subject so overlooked in Brazil, first in Altamira in 08. You are one of the few people I could always trust to lead me the right direction. I was planning to call you this week or see if we could meet for coffee again. I will miss not having you here to lead me to stories and guide me along. You are a good man. I wish your wife and son peace in this difficult time.
Brazil needed you. You will be missed on so many levels by so many people.
Conheci o Glenn durante 22 anos, desde quando servi de conselheiro científico do seu filme (c/ Monti Aguirre) “Amazônia: Vozes da Floresta”. Como outros já falaram, a sua morte inesperada é uma grande perda em todos os sentidos, sobretudo o pessoal. Acredito que vai continuar crescendo o entrosamento que o Glenn tanto facilitou entre ativistas em movimentos ambientalistas de base e as pessoas que trabalham principalmente nos aspectos científicos. Justamente agora é mais importante que nunca, num momento crítico para o Xingu. Philip Fearnside
I knew Glenn for 22 years, ever since the time when I served as scientific advisor for his film (w/ Monti Aguirre) “Amazonia: Voices of the Rainforest.” As others have already said, his unexpected death is a great loss in all senses, especially in the personal sense. Glenn did much to foster integration between grassroots environmental movements and those who work mainly on the scientific aspects of dams, and I believe that this will continue to grow. This more important than ever right now at this critical moment for the Xingu. Philip Fearnside
My thoughts are with Glenn's wife and son and his friends and colleagues...
It is hard to come to terms with this loss. I first met Glenn in 1997 at an IRN party...he was at the back - barbequing - and there started our conversation that continued over the years -- about the "damn" dam commission, threats faced by the Pantanal, how to use spices, jazz, the best breweries in the Bay Area, building his home overlooking the mountains and 14 large waterfalls, video production--his dream job, about baseball and so much more....a conversation that I will always cherish. But nothing ever lit up his face the way it did when he first showed me Gabriel's photo or talked about him.
Salut dear Glenn and thank you for your love, friendship, comradarie, your courageous spirit and integrity that I so admire. I will always hold you in my heart as I have your words about the Movement of Landless Workers in Brazil:
Glenn was an extremely valuable ally in the 1990s for Burma activists fighting a common enemy, Texaco (now Chevron.) It was always an absolute delight to see him, with his marvelous verve and humor. He was really one of the hard core activists, courageous, original and tremendously effective. I am so sorry for his demise -- my utmost sympathy for Selma, Gabriel and IRN. As the indigenous people of the Amazon have said, he will live on in the flow of the great river.
The few times in the last 20 years, i had the pleasure to spend some hours with Glenn, it always seemed as if we had walked together many long ways before. It simply was good to be with him. And it was good to know, he's around.
If there is something like a community or family caring for the planet and for basic human rights, this family has lost a very committed and inspiring member. We will miss his very special charme and his straight forward thinking & talking and above all, the consciousness that this guy is out there doing the work noone else could do like him.
In my memory he will continue to be around. And i know that his spiritual presence will nurture us all - his colleagues at international rivers the same as all the organisations & networks struggling for the rivers as well as his family.
I had the honor of working with Glenn on various campaigns spanning over 17 years. He was a powerful and unwavering force in defense of the Amazon. He was funny, witty and passionate. I always appreciated his sense of humor and keen ability to size up complex issues and see thru B.S. He was prolific and courageous in his activism.
I first met Glenn when we both were at RAN and he was fighting the oil companies in Ecuador. Then when I was starting Amazon Watch, Glenn and I travelled several times on trips to the Brazilian Amazon. He was a huge part of my education about Brazilian politics, threats from Dams in the Amazon, and my understanding of the complex issues we were tackling. But more than that, Glenn’s deep appreciation for Brazilian culture especially the modern day Amazon riverine culture, the music, and the food was quite impressive.
I remember those trips well, especially Glenn getting me to try different Amazonian fruits, our trips to the fish markets to see the diversity of Amazonian fish, listening to live Brazilian folk music in street festivals, and trying out different tasty local cuisine. I also remember the many times we teamed up to take on powerful interests, ALCOA, IDB, Petrobras, Electrobras among others. He had a great sense of strategy and was honest to call out what he thought was a waste of time. Good-bye to my dear friend Glenn! I will miss you. Your spirit lives on and will guide us in continuing the fight for the forest, for the rivers and the people of the Amazon.
Glenn was a terrific force for positive change, working on the front lines of advancing river threats in South America. He’ll be missed by all who worked with him. We can only hope that someone of similar caliber will one day fill his niche. Glenn, muito obrigado!
My thoughts are with you and with Glenn's family. I witnessed Glenn's gracious personality in equal doses at the First International Meeting of People Affected by Dams, at a NY Yankees game in Oakland, and at the IRN offices on Berkeley Way. He had a big heart, a big personality, and his own brand of charm. Ciao and thank you Glenn!
Glenn was a champion of a man with talent, courage, fight, and a big heart. I along with many will miss him. Filming with him in the Four Corners was one of the great treats in my life.
Glenn and I worked together - albeit in different capacities and organizations - on the Rio Madeira and Rio Xingu endeavors. Glenn impressed me with his commitment and support as well as with his modesty and immense friendliness.
My friend and I made a film in Minas Gerais about the impacts of a dam there, and Glenn was very kind and helped us in our goal for it to be used to inform others in Brazil about the reality of this issue. He was a passionate man. Nossas condolências.
I am very sorry to hear that this fierce protector of our planet's rivers and indigenous communities, Glenn Switkes, has passed, and at so young an age. It is a sad thing. Above all though, for him at his deathbed he must have thought about the difference he was making, which is more than most people can say upon that episode in their lives. Unfortunately he could not go on to continue his mission and to live to see his child grow. Many condolences to family, friends, environmentalists--and citizenry of the planet. His death is a loss to all.
I didn't know Glenn nor do i know anyone who knew him but i mourn his passing.
I am a very old man who has watched a great deal of change "for the benefit of society" take place. Most ended in irreversible harm to those people who were promised better. I watched a paradise on earth, Los Angeles in the 1930s become the ugly hell it is today. I lived on a farm along the Los Angeles river and rode my horse along its banks daily. Seeds, plants and trees, of every variety, from all over found there way to the river and it was the most beautiful garden I've ever seen. From our farm this Eden stretched 16 miles west to the ocean and twice that eastward across the city. One day huge machinery came and "for the good of society" the whole river from bank to bank was cemented over. In all my years their, it had never overflowed it's banks to any serious degree but we were told it was a possibility.
Nature is so big and yet so fragile and the loss of a single protector even one I had never met, like Glenn Ross Switkes is devastating beyond words.
[translated -as well as I can manage- from the Portuguese]
One day, a special human being came into the world, who over the years lived, learned and taught life lessons. His sensitivity set his path of commitment to one of the greatest assets of humanity: the defense of rivers and waters.
He never allowed himself to be guided by the greed of power, to be an executive or other powerful person. He defined himself by the entity that he represented very well in Brazil - International Rivers. He was a companion and a loyal friend to indigenous communities, riverside family farmers, women, youth, indeed to all those threatened and massacred by the destruction and death of the developmentalist projects of the governments who operate on behalf of big business. Glenn an environmentalist, activist, active and vigilant like no one else, was dedicated to finding the most obscure news to share with our networks.
Brave friend Glenn, the tears of the people of the Xingu join the waters of the Rio Tapajós, the Madeira and all the rivers of the Amazon and the world in forming a great network of strength and commitment in continuing your tireless work in defense of rivers and the environment. Your physical absence, but spiritual presence, gives us the certainty that your voice, your commitment, your smile, your valuable writings, your life, continues in our fight!
Glenn you were and will forever be a citizen of the Xingu, a citizen of the world! Your memory is immortal!
Regretfully signed by the coordination of the Living Xingu Forever Movement:
Bishop D. Erwin Krautler, Ana Paula Santos Souza, Antonia Pereira Martins, Antonia Melo, Marcelo Dias, Tarcísio Feitosa, Ir.Ignêz, Zeh Roberto e Renata Pinheiro
Organizations that make up the Living Xingu Forever Movement (Middle Xingu): Fundação Viver Produzir e Preservar, Comitê Metropolitano do Movimento Xingu Vivo Para Sempre, Movimento de Mulheres Trabalhadoras de Altamira Campo e Cidade, Prelazia do Xingu, Movimento de Mulheres do Campo e Cidade do Pará, Fetagri Regional Transamazônica e Xingu, Sindicato de Trabalhadores e Trabalhadoras Rurais de Altamira, Fundação Tocaia, Sindicato das Domésticas de Altamira, Fórum Popular de Altamira, Comitê de Direitos Humanos Dorothy Stang, Coia – Conselho Indígena de Altamira (Painaré e Aima), STTR de Porto de Moz, Comitê da Resex Verde Para Sempre, Associação de Mulheres do Campo e da Cidade de Senador José Porfírio, Associação de Mulheres de Porto de Moz, Associação Rádio Comunitária de Altamira, Associação Rádio Comunitária de Vitória do Xingu, Movimento de Mulheres Regional da Transamazônica e Xingu, STTR de Vitória do Xingu, Associação das Mulheres Agricultoras do Assurini, Associação de Mulheres Agricultoras do Setor Gonzaga, Associação dos Moradores do Médio Xingu, Associação dos Moradores da Resex do Iriri ,Associação dos Moradores da Resex Riozinho do Anfrisio, Associação Pró-Moradia do Parque Ipê, Associação Pró-Moradia do São Domingos, CJP- Comissão de Justiça e Paz, Conselho Indigenista Missionário (CIMI), CPT- Comissão Pastoral da Terra, FAOR – Fórum da Amazônia Oriental, Federação de Assistência Social e Educacional (FASE), Fundação Elza Marques, Fundo DEMA, Grupo de Mulheres do Bairro Esperança, Grupo de Trabalho Amazônico Regional Altamira – GTA Altamira, MAB- Movimento dos Atingidos por Barragem, Pastoral da Juventude, S.O.S. Vida, Sindicato das Domésticas de Altamira, Sindicato dos Trabalhadores em Educação Pública do Pará – SINTEPP, SDDH- Sociedade Paraense dos Direitos Humanos, MMM- Movimento de Mulheres Maria Maria, Centro de Formação do Negro Transamazônica e Xingu,
Glenn was a most important ally in our struggles since 1996 in Minas Gerais, Brazil to prevent construction of destructive dams of all sizes, and whose experience and advice I could always count on. I am proud to have invited Glenn to write on the Belo Monte and Rio Madeira dam projects in the book Vidas Alagadas (Flooded Lives), which I edited and was published in 2008. Like Glenn, I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, studied at Cal-Berkeley and married a Brazilian. I feel like I have lost a brother and my heart goes out to Selma.
Franklin Rothman, Universidade Federal de Viçosa and Núcleo de Assessoria às Comunidades Atingidas por Barragens, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Glenn will be greatly missed by his friends, family and fellow activists. My heart goes out to Selma and Gabriel and all the many people who loved Glenn. Rest in peace, dear Glenn.
But I received mails and updates from Glenn and he always came accross as someone deeply committed to life, to people and to rivers. It is a great loss.
Glenn! At once sad and exalting in all you managed to do during your time here. Selma and Gabriel, my deepest sympathies to you, your family and friends.
Thinking of Glenn brings a smile on my face! What a wonderful person, what a good man, what a pitty and big lost for us and for the earth! I worked with Glenn together on the topic rio Maderia and now the plan was to meet this year and work together agianst the Belo Monte. Now I will go alone but with him and his great work and fight spirit in my heart! Selma and Gabriel, my deepest sympathies to you, your family and friends!
Thinking of Glenn brings a smile on my face! What a wonderful person, what a good man, what a pitty and big lost for us and for the earth! I worked with Glenn together on the topic rio Maderia and now the plan was to meet this year and work together agianst the Belo Monte. Now I will go alone but with him and his great work and fight spirit in my heart!
Comments
Glenn's passing
Very
glenn
Meu Amigo, my friend Glenn
I am very sad to know that Glenn has left us. He was a lighthouse for many of us working with rivers and environmental justice, one of the main supporters of my PhD research in Brazil, back in 2001. He was generous with his time with friends and with anyone interested in save rivers. Last time we had dinner together at their apartment in São Paulo. Glenn was telling me about his new projects full of beautiful dreams with his film production lab and his retreat with Selma and Gabriel at their sustainable ranch in Minas Gerais.
Thank you for bringing beauty and inspiration to our lives!
You will be missed very much
Renata Marson T. Andrade
Very sad news
This is extremely sad news. I only knew Glenn through email but his passion for the Amazon and his work shone through. The world needs more people like Glenn around.
Condolences to his family and the IRN staff
Jeet
HelloMy name is Jonny
HelloMy name is Jonny Pedersen,norwegian living in São Paulo.Photographer and cinematograph.
Glenn i meet just 6-7 months ago here in São Paulo.I was recommended to contact him by Sue Cunningham.
I meet first Selma togehter with their dog Café, and after.. i had the pleasure to meet Glenn and become friend with him. He was a great man, quiet but with enormouse strenght in his personality.I we talk about protecting the forest, and i told him... really.. i have never cared for it... i just explore and use it... i love to hunt, so i use the forest...Then Gelnn looked at me.. like a father looks to his son and answered dried...."Well... without the forest... there is no place for the animal to breed, and no place for you to hunt... so.." and then i knew i had to join... He told me about norwegian companies that are involved in Xingu-project... and about Aracruz, that was owned by a norwegian and his wife is the sister of the norwegian king...
After joining him, it has become a passion for me to learn and know more... and he was a great teacher.. and patient with me. I'm a proffesisional filmfotografer and we talk a lot about film and going together and shoot together...I hope i get the uppertunity to work for the organization and continue Glenn's work..
And shoot many films in his spirit and lovecaring areas...
God bless you, Glenn...
Tremendous Loss
I am another of those just discovering that we've lost Glenn, one of the most important environmental and social activists in Latin America. I met him only once, years ago in Brazil, at a conference at which we were both speaking, but communicated with him several times about work-related topics, and was always struck by his intelligence, ability and basic humanity. My deepest condolences go out to his family, friends and IR colleagues.
Jeff Wade
Rest in Peace
Glenn, I am still in shock at your passing, which I heard about just yesterday. Thank you for helping me with my reporting in Brazil - you opened my eyes to a subject so overlooked in Brazil, first in Altamira in 08. You are one of the few people I could always trust to lead me the right direction. I was planning to call you this week or see if we could meet for coffee again. I will miss not having you here to lead me to stories and guide me along. You are a good man. I wish your wife and son peace in this difficult time.
Brazil needed you. You will be missed on so many levels by so many people.
Gabriel Elizondo
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/americas/2010/01/08/amazon-defender-gone
Glenn
Conheci o Glenn durante 22 anos, desde quando servi de conselheiro científico do seu filme (c/ Monti Aguirre) “Amazônia: Vozes da Floresta”. Como outros já falaram, a sua morte inesperada é uma grande perda em todos os sentidos, sobretudo o pessoal. Acredito que vai continuar crescendo o entrosamento que o Glenn tanto facilitou entre ativistas em movimentos ambientalistas de base e as pessoas que trabalham principalmente nos aspectos científicos. Justamente agora é mais importante que nunca, num momento crítico para o Xingu. Philip Fearnside
I knew Glenn for 22 years, ever since the time when I served as scientific advisor for his film (w/ Monti Aguirre) “Amazonia: Voices of the Rainforest.” As others have already said, his unexpected death is a great loss in all senses, especially in the personal sense. Glenn did much to foster integration between grassroots environmental movements and those who work mainly on the scientific aspects of dams, and I believe that this will continue to grow. This more important than ever right now at this critical moment for the Xingu. Philip Fearnside
Salut
My thoughts are with Glenn's wife and son and his friends and colleagues...
It is hard to come to terms with this loss. I first met Glenn in 1997 at an IRN party...he was at the back - barbequing - and there started our conversation that continued over the years -- about the "damn" dam commission, threats faced by the Pantanal, how to use spices, jazz, the best breweries in the Bay Area, building his home overlooking the mountains and 14 large waterfalls, video production--his dream job, about baseball and so much more....a conversation that I will always cherish. But nothing ever lit up his face the way it did when he first showed me Gabriel's photo or talked about him.
Salut dear Glenn and thank you for your love, friendship, comradarie, your courageous spirit and integrity that I so admire. I will always hold you in my heart as I have your words about the Movement of Landless Workers in Brazil:
Why do they call you "sem" terra?
When the mud is between your toes
Clay is in your nails
Sand on the soles of your feet?
Your eyes see through the dusty red curtain
of never-ending dirt raods
And your gaze opens a path
Paved with bright, new dream.
Mato Grasso • Richmond
1999
from Project Maje
Glenn was an extremely valuable ally in the 1990s for Burma activists fighting a common enemy, Texaco (now Chevron.) It was always an absolute delight to see him, with his marvelous verve and humor. He was really one of the hard core activists, courageous, original and tremendously effective. I am so sorry for his demise -- my utmost sympathy for Selma, Gabriel and IRN. As the indigenous people of the Amazon have said, he will live on in the flow of the great river.
Farewell Glenn
The few times in the last 20 years, i had the pleasure to spend some hours with Glenn, it always seemed as if we had walked together many long ways before. It simply was good to be with him. And it was good to know, he's around.
If there is something like a community or family caring for the planet and for basic human rights, this family has lost a very committed and inspiring member. We will miss his very special charme and his straight forward thinking & talking and above all, the consciousness that this guy is out there doing the work noone else could do like him.
In my memory he will continue to be around. And i know that his spiritual presence will nurture us all - his colleagues at international rivers the same as all the organisations & networks struggling for the rivers as well as his family.
Hermann Edelmann, Pro REGENWALD (Germany)
Honoring Glenn
I had the honor of working with Glenn on various campaigns spanning over 17 years. He was a powerful and unwavering force in defense of the Amazon. He was funny, witty and passionate. I always appreciated his sense of humor and keen ability to size up complex issues and see thru B.S. He was prolific and courageous in his activism.
I first met Glenn when we both were at RAN and he was fighting the oil companies in Ecuador. Then when I was starting Amazon Watch, Glenn and I travelled several times on trips to the Brazilian Amazon. He was a huge part of my education about Brazilian politics, threats from Dams in the Amazon, and my understanding of the complex issues we were tackling. But more than that, Glenn’s deep appreciation for Brazilian culture especially the modern day Amazon riverine culture, the music, and the food was quite impressive.
I remember those trips well, especially Glenn getting me to try different Amazonian fruits, our trips to the fish markets to see the diversity of Amazonian fish, listening to live Brazilian folk music in street festivals, and trying out different tasty local cuisine. I also remember the many times we teamed up to take on powerful interests, ALCOA, IDB, Petrobras, Electrobras among others. He had a great sense of strategy and was honest to call out what he thought was a waste of time. Good-bye to my dear friend Glenn! I will miss you. Your spirit lives on and will guide us in continuing the fight for the forest, for the rivers and the people of the Amazon.
Glenn
Glenn was a terrific force for positive change, working on the front lines of advancing river threats in South America. He’ll be missed by all who worked with him. We can only hope that someone of similar caliber will one day fill his niche. Glenn, muito obrigado!
Thank you Glenn
Dear International Rivers,
My thoughts are with you and with Glenn's family. I witnessed Glenn's gracious personality in equal doses at the First International Meeting of People Affected by Dams, at a NY Yankees game in Oakland, and at the IRN offices on Berkeley Way. He had a big heart, a big personality, and his own brand of charm. Ciao and thank you Glenn!
Much love, Aleta George
Glenn Switkes
Glenn was a champion of a man with talent, courage, fight, and a big heart. I along with many will miss him. Filming with him in the Four Corners was one of the great treats in my life.
Randy Hayes
Farewell
Glenn and I worked together - albeit in different capacities and organizations - on the Rio Madeira and Rio Xingu endeavors. Glenn impressed me with his commitment and support as well as with his modesty and immense friendliness.
I miss you, dear Glenn. Farewell!
Sincere sympathies to Selma and Gabriel.
Roland
Boa Gente
My friend and I made a film in Minas Gerais about the impacts of a dam there, and Glenn was very kind and helped us in our goal for it to be used to inform others in Brazil about the reality of this issue. He was a passionate man. Nossas condolências.
Glenn Switkes
I am very sorry to hear that this fierce protector of our planet's rivers and indigenous communities, Glenn Switkes, has passed, and at so young an age. It is a sad thing. Above all though, for him at his deathbed he must have thought about the difference he was making, which is more than most people can say upon that episode in their lives. Unfortunately he could not go on to continue his mission and to live to see his child grow. Many condolences to family, friends, environmentalists--and citizenry of the planet. His death is a loss to all.
A lessor world
I didn't know Glenn nor do i know anyone who knew him but i mourn his passing.
I am a very old man who has watched a great deal of change "for the benefit of society" take place. Most ended in irreversible harm to those people who were promised better. I watched a paradise on earth, Los Angeles in the 1930s become the ugly hell it is today. I lived on a farm along the Los Angeles river and rode my horse along its banks daily. Seeds, plants and trees, of every variety, from all over found there way to the river and it was the most beautiful garden I've ever seen. From our farm this Eden stretched 16 miles west to the ocean and twice that eastward across the city. One day huge machinery came and "for the good of society" the whole river from bank to bank was cemented over. In all my years their, it had never overflowed it's banks to any serious degree but we were told it was a possibility.
Nature is so big and yet so fragile and the loss of a single protector even one I had never met, like Glenn Ross Switkes is devastating beyond words.
Saudades
In the few years since we met Glenn we have developed a profound love for his calm yet tenacious fighting spirit.
We enjoyed many evenings in many bars, from Altamira to Sao Paulo.
We feel priviledged to have counted him as a friend. Our hearts go out to Selma and Gabo - our thoughts are with you both.
Whatever there is after life, Glenn will be there fighting for fairness and justice.
We'll celebrate his life with joy and sadness; we'll make his spirit happy with our laughter and our dancing, but we will miss him.
Paddy & Sue
Message from the People of the Xingu in Memory of Glenn
[translated -as well as I can manage- from the Portuguese]
One day, a special human being came into the world, who over the years lived, learned and taught life lessons. His sensitivity set his path of commitment to one of the greatest assets of humanity: the defense of rivers and waters.
He never allowed himself to be guided by the greed of power, to be an executive or other powerful person. He defined himself by the entity that he represented very well in Brazil - International Rivers. He was a companion and a loyal friend to indigenous communities, riverside family farmers, women, youth, indeed to all those threatened and massacred by the destruction and death of the developmentalist projects of the governments who operate on behalf of big business. Glenn an environmentalist, activist, active and vigilant like no one else, was dedicated to finding the most obscure news to share with our networks.
Brave friend Glenn, the tears of the people of the Xingu join the waters of the Rio Tapajós, the Madeira and all the rivers of the Amazon and the world in forming a great network of strength and commitment in continuing your tireless work in defense of rivers and the environment. Your physical absence, but spiritual presence, gives us the certainty that your voice, your commitment, your smile, your valuable writings, your life, continues in our fight!
Glenn you were and will forever be a citizen of the Xingu, a citizen of the world! Your memory is immortal!
Regretfully signed by the coordination of the Living Xingu Forever Movement:
Bishop D. Erwin Krautler, Ana Paula Santos Souza, Antonia Pereira Martins, Antonia Melo, Marcelo Dias, Tarcísio Feitosa, Ir.Ignêz, Zeh Roberto e Renata Pinheiro
Organizations that make up the Living Xingu Forever Movement (Middle Xingu): Fundação Viver Produzir e Preservar, Comitê Metropolitano do Movimento Xingu Vivo Para Sempre, Movimento de Mulheres Trabalhadoras de Altamira Campo e Cidade, Prelazia do Xingu, Movimento de Mulheres do Campo e Cidade do Pará, Fetagri Regional Transamazônica e Xingu, Sindicato de Trabalhadores e Trabalhadoras Rurais de Altamira, Fundação Tocaia, Sindicato das Domésticas de Altamira, Fórum Popular de Altamira, Comitê de Direitos Humanos Dorothy Stang, Coia – Conselho Indígena de Altamira (Painaré e Aima), STTR de Porto de Moz, Comitê da Resex Verde Para Sempre, Associação de Mulheres do Campo e da Cidade de Senador José Porfírio, Associação de Mulheres de Porto de Moz, Associação Rádio Comunitária de Altamira, Associação Rádio Comunitária de Vitória do Xingu, Movimento de Mulheres Regional da Transamazônica e Xingu, STTR de Vitória do Xingu, Associação das Mulheres Agricultoras do Assurini, Associação de Mulheres Agricultoras do Setor Gonzaga, Associação dos Moradores do Médio Xingu, Associação dos Moradores da Resex do Iriri ,Associação dos Moradores da Resex Riozinho do Anfrisio, Associação Pró-Moradia do Parque Ipê, Associação Pró-Moradia do São Domingos, CJP- Comissão de Justiça e Paz, Conselho Indigenista Missionário (CIMI), CPT- Comissão Pastoral da Terra, FAOR – Fórum da Amazônia Oriental, Federação de Assistência Social e Educacional (FASE), Fundação Elza Marques, Fundo DEMA, Grupo de Mulheres do Bairro Esperança, Grupo de Trabalho Amazônico Regional Altamira – GTA Altamira, MAB- Movimento dos Atingidos por Barragem, Pastoral da Juventude, S.O.S. Vida, Sindicato das Domésticas de Altamira, Sindicato dos Trabalhadores em Educação Pública do Pará – SINTEPP, SDDH- Sociedade Paraense dos Direitos Humanos, MMM- Movimento de Mulheres Maria Maria, Centro de Formação do Negro Transamazônica e Xingu,
Glenn and Brazilian Rivers
Glenn was a most important ally in our struggles since 1996 in Minas Gerais, Brazil to prevent construction of destructive dams of all sizes, and whose experience and advice I could always count on. I am proud to have invited Glenn to write on the Belo Monte and Rio Madeira dam projects in the book Vidas Alagadas (Flooded Lives), which I edited and was published in 2008. Like Glenn, I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, studied at Cal-Berkeley and married a Brazilian. I feel like I have lost a brother and my heart goes out to Selma.
Franklin Rothman, Universidade Federal de Viçosa and Núcleo de Assessoria às Comunidades Atingidas por Barragens, Minas Gerais, Brazil
He'll be missed
For the short time that I knew Glenn he was extremely kind, funny, and uplifting. I am so sorry to his family, and International Rivers for your loss.
Farewell
Glenn will be greatly missed by his friends, family and fellow activists. My heart goes out to Selma and Gabriel and all the many people who loved Glenn. Rest in peace, dear Glenn.
A lovely blog about Glenn (in Portuguese)
We'll miss you
Glenn
It was a great honour for me to have met Glenn in this life, and to have been his friend.
I have no doubt that he is in a very good place, on the other side.
It is a tremendous loss for the environmental movement, and a tremendous loss for those who worked with him and for his friends.
But, especially, it is a tremendous loss for Selma and Gabo. May the Boddhisatvas bless and shower much Light, Peace and Love on him and also on them.
I never got a chance to meet him
But I received mails and updates from Glenn and he always came accross as someone deeply committed to life, to people and to rivers. It is a great loss.
Francisco, Comarca Lagunera, Mexico
Glenn
It was an honor to have worked with you. You will be missed.
Farewell Friend
Glenn! At once sad and exalting in all you managed to do during your time here. Selma and Gabriel, my deepest sympathies to you, your family and friends.
Farewell dear Glenn
Thinking of Glenn brings a smile on my face! What a wonderful person, what a good man, what a pitty and big lost for us and for the earth! I worked with Glenn together on the topic rio Maderia and now the plan was to meet this year and work together agianst the Belo Monte. Now I will go alone but with him and his great work and fight spirit in my heart! Selma and Gabriel, my deepest sympathies to you, your family and friends!
Rea
Farewell dear Glenn
Thinking of Glenn brings a smile on my face! What a wonderful person, what a good man, what a pitty and big lost for us and for the earth! I worked with Glenn together on the topic rio Maderia and now the plan was to meet this year and work together agianst the Belo Monte. Now I will go alone but with him and his great work and fight spirit in my heart!
Rea