Earlier this week, the Brazilian environmental agency (IBAMA) issued the first environmental license for the Belo Monte dam. By doing this, IBAMA gave the first green light for the construction of the world’s 3rd largest dam and ignored 25 years of resistance by the Indigenous and riverine communities of the Xingu river basin. Read Zachary Hurwitz’s article below.

Having attended the Encontro Xingu: Vivo Para Sempre” or “Xingu Encounter: Alive Forever” gathering in Altamira, Brazil in May 2008 with thousands in opposition to the Belo Monte dam, including my friends Zachary Hurwitz, Scott Fitzmorris and the late Glenn Switkes, I know the struggle is not over. I commit to doing everything I can to supporting communities in Brazil to stop this dam. Please join me and my friends at Amazon Watch and International Rivers today!

Sunrise on the Xingu River taken by Scott Fitzmorris

Brazilian Government Shoves Belo Monte Down Our Throats Ahead of Campaign Season
By Zachary Hurwitz

In July 2009, Lula da Silva promised his personal friend and Bishop of the Xingú Dom Erwin Krautler, as well as Professor Celio Bermann of the University of São Paulo, and representatives of affected indigenous and riverine communities that “we will not force Belo Monte down anyone’s throat,” But on February 1st, the Brazilian environmental agency IBAMA did just that, releasing the first of three environmental licenses required to build the Belo Monte mega-dam on the Xingu River. More »

Ever wonder where you can learn from models of successful social movements and urban youth organizing? Sao Paulo is busting at the seams with innovative, effective, creative and inspiring youth organizing and projects. I had the privilege to live there for two years, getting schooled by people like Marcela Freitas who helped start a popular education program in her neighborhood to train gang members for green jobs. Marcela is now organizing a trip to Sao Paulo for you July 10 to the 20th – She wants to bring together…

“students, philanthropists, activists, journalists, business leaders, social entrepreneurs, members of social movements, non-profit professionals or governmental representatives, and common citizens”

and involve you in all kinds of ways, like constructing community houses for young people; discovering the challenges of a community kitchen; visiting a paper-recycling cooperative developed by young people; visiting Eco-Parks, community markets and cultural fairs; discussing, exchanging and sharing information and experiences with young activists; visiting the beach Santos; taking a capoeira workshp and much much more…

Learn more here

Bunge was clearly expecting us. When Judson Barros (director of the NGO FUNAGUS in Piauí, Brazil) and I entered the Sofitel and walked to the check-in for the shareholder meeting, they treated us like VIP’s that they were expecting. The three people at the table looked at our proxy letters and one mumbled, “Oh, yes, these are the letters we heard about.”

We were promptly handed over shareholder badges and invited to climb the stairs to delight in some breakfast before the meeting got started. I couldn’t help but notice the scant number of people present, and the rather small meeting room that we would be sitting in. It was by far the smallest shareholder meeting that I’ve ever attended with a total of 50-60 people total.

The meeting proceeded as expected with an introduction by CEO Alberto Weisser, then a review of the meeting rules, voting, and a powerpoint presentation on the company. Voting results were announced (all resolutions passed), and then the meeting opened to Q&A. By the way, the resolutions up for voting had absolutely zero social or environmental content. They addressed mundane H.R. issues.

Judson stood up during the Q&A period and read a statement about Bunge’s ongoing disrespect for environmental laws in Brazil, specifically in the state of Piauí where he is from. In Piauí, Bunge uses native wood from the Cerrado—a super biodiverse savannah—for 100 percent of their energy needs in all their soy processing plants. In March of this year, three Federal Court Justices in Brasilia, Brazil ruled that Bunge must stop cutting and burning wood from the Cerrado. But, Bunge continues to operate with total disregard for this ruling and for the environment—burning wood in its plant.

After Judson spoke, an older gentleman stood up and stated that he owned 600 shares in Bunge, and that he urged the company to take seriously every word of Judson’s statement. He went on to state that he believes that as an industry leader the company has the responsibility to make big steps forward to respect the environment and be responsible in their practices. The CEO merely looked at him and said, “Thank you.”