A three-episode series welcomes specialists to discuss relevant topics in the Tapajós region, including bioeconomy, archaeological importance, and what hydrographic basins and rivers have to do with climate change.
Link to information in Portuguese
Brazil, 05 September 2022 – In celebration of Amazon week and following the publication of the “Tapajós Sob o Sol” (Tapajós Under the Sun) earlier this year, International Rivers, a global NGO with over 35 years of experience in protecting rivers and defending the rights of communities, and Tapajós de Fato (TdF), a popular, alternative, and independent communication vehicle that operates in the western region of the state of Pará, today launched the podcast series Tapajós Sob o Sol (now available in portuguese on the official TdF channel on Spotify)
“We cannot talk about the Amazon without recognizing the importance of the Tapajós basin. It is essential for the socio-environmental and biodiversity preservation and, therefore, we need to put our eyes and our commitment, to listening to the voices of this region that has already been suffering great threats from infrastructure projects such as hydroelectric plants, illegal mining, and deforestation.”, explains Flavio Montiel, director of International Rivers in Brazil. “We are very happy with the partnership with Tapajós de Fato to carry out this project. The podcast is an essential and powerful tool for us to continue sharing with the public and with organizations the importance of preserving the region and the search for truly sustainable alternatives.”, he concludes.
Marcos Wesley Pedroso, the coordinator of Tapajós de Fato, talks about the importance of democratizing information in the Amazon. “We, who communicate in the Amazon, know the importance of partnerships with organizations that are sensitive to people, forests and our rivers. Climate change is a reality, it affects us directly and to think about a coping mechanism, we first need to understand the dimension of the problem. The podcast series is a way of bringing information to the world about the scenario of the Tapajós region, but it is also another opportunity to enter the territories, broadcasting these productions in the bases, thus making a democratic communication that reaches everyone” .
In this first episode, which features a script by Marlon Rebelo and edited by Renanzeller Mateus, the hosts, Isabelle Maciel and Andrielly Pantoja, welcome specialists and guests to discuss relevant topics in the Tapajós region, including the bioeconomy, archaeological importance and how the basins watersheds and rivers have to do with climate change. The three-episode series will feature these guests:assistant professor of Archeology at the Anthropology and Archeology Program at the Federal University of Western Pará (UFOPA), Bruna Cigaran Rocha, the writer, popular communicator and social activist, Father Edilberto Francisco Moura Sena, from the Tapajós Vivo Movement, and Raquel Tupinambá, general chief of the Tupinambá people of Baixo Tapajós.
List of episodes:
Episode 1: Climate Change: What watersheds and rivers have to do with it
From a territorial perspective, looking at the Tapajós basin and its main rivers, we will talk about how the health of freshwater ecosystems is linked to the climate crisis. Learn more about the importance of fighting for rivers free from hydroelectric dams and other projects that can change their flows. Discover the energy generation alternatives that can be developed in traditional community contexts.
Episode 2: Archeology in Tapajós: Defending Rio is defending history
The Tapajós region is extremely rich in archaeological artifacts, which helps to explain the history of the millenary populations that altered the region’s topography and produced culture and knowledge. Many of these archaeological sites still need to be studied, while others need protection from projects that could destroy them. Alongside the assistant professor of Archeology at the Anthropology and Archeology Program at the Federal University of Western Pará (UFOPA), Bruna Cigaran Rocha talks about how the region’s archaeological wealth depends on the integral protection of the territory.
Episode 3: What do the traditional peoples of Pará produce for the region’s economy?
Over the years, the Tapajós basin has been a target territory for exploitative economic models, such as mining, deforestation and hydroelectric dams. But the traditional populations of the Tapajós (indigenous, quilombolas, riverine people) have developed other economic alternatives. Artisanal fishing, community tourism and handicrafts are among some of these bioeconomic possibilities. Understand how this bioeconomy can change the conservation and protection scenario of the Tapajós basin and its populations with a conversation with Raquel Tupinambá, general chief of the Tupinambá people of Baixo Tapajós.
About International Rivers
International Rivers is a global organization with more than 35 years of existence and regional offices in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The group works so that riverside communities and people affected by dams have their voices heard and their rights respected. The organization helps create active and well-instrumented networks of civil society groups to protect rivers and defend the rights of communities that depend on them.
Press contact:
Isadora Armani – iarmani@internationalrivers.org
About Tapajos de Fato
Tapajós de Fato is a popular, alternative and independent communication vehicle that operates in the western region of the state of Pará, carrying out socio-environmental coverage, denouncing the impact of Climate Change and Large Projects for the Amazon and Tapajós regions. TdF operates through the portal tapajosdefato.com.br, has 3 podcasts (Podcast Falas pela Ação Climatica; Clima de Eleição and the Podcast Tapajós de Fato), and daily feeds social media with media content.
Press contact: