“Stop the Deforestation,” says Brazillian Artivist Mundano.
The centuries-long battle against deforestation continues.
AMAZON RAINFOREST FIRES Stop the Deforestation – Brazilian Artivist Mundano
“KEEP YOUR PROMISE! Stop the Destruction” – Brazillian Artivist Mundano
It’s been 116 years since President Teddy Roosevelt said, “Nothing should be permitted to stand in the way of the preservation of the forests. It is criminal to permit individuals to purchase a little gain for themselves through the destruction of forests.” – “Eighth Annual Message to the Senate and House of Representatives” by President Theodore Roosevelt. Dec 8, 1908.
Then came this voice from the German forests, “Nach einer langen Reise durch die Welt der Wälder mache ich nun endlich das, was ich schon als kleines Kind machen wollte: Naturschutz.” – Peter Wohlleben [1]
And now we hear, “My country has been swallowed up by the smoke of greed,” – Brazilian street artist and muralist Mundano, 2024.
Deforestation has been going on since the beginning of Human civilization. Seven thousand years ago. Trees were cut down wholesale for the use of their wood. Trees were cut down to dig up the ground for farmland or cattle. And they were cut or burned down simply because trees were in the way of imperial conquest.
Some cultures fought this reckless, wanton destruction because they loved the Forests. The Celtic, Nordic and Germanic tribes for instance. They had forest-centered cultures. Their stories, heroes and religions were of the forest. They may not have understood then that trees were “The Lungs of the Earth.” Or perhaps they did!
But we sure know how Mother Nature works today. There are heroes among us…
LISTEN!
BREAKING NEWS! US Billionaires Called On to End Forest Destruction in Mega Mural by Famous Brazilian “Artivist”
SÃO PAULO, Brazil, Oct. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Stand.earth unveiled an over 17,000 square foot mural off Paulista Avenue. Paulista is one of the busiest commercial thoroughfares in South America. That BIG mural called on the billionaire family owners of Cargill Inc. to listen. To “end their part in the destruction of South America’s forests and other critical ecosystems.” A passionate call for saving their sacred forests.
Cargill is the largest privately owned company in the US. And the largest agricultural company in the world. It has come under repeated fire for its role in the destruction of forests. As well as the dislocation of Indigenous peoples, child labor, slavery. And other environmental and human rights violations across the globe.
The Cargill-MacMillan family owns the company. It boasts a collective net worth of more than $60 billion. And it contains more billionaires than any other family in the world.
Deforestation, Burned Trees and Dry Rivers
“I see this painting as a call to end the destruction that companies like Cargill continue to cause around the world. If we don’t stop these practices, the only scenario future generations will know is the one depicted behind me in the painting. Burned trees and dry rivers,” Indigenous Activist Alessandra Munduruku said.
“I hope that whoever passes by this building feels more connected to nature and becomes outraged at those who are destroying it.”
The mural, one of Sao Paulo’s largest, declares “KEEP YOUR PROMISE! Stop the Destruction.” It was created by Brazilian street artist Mundano in collaboration with the Burning Legacy Campaign at Stand.earth. It’s painted with the ashes of forests destroyed to make way for plantations utilized by Cargill. And mud from southern Brazilian states devastated by climate and deforestation-related flooding.
Amazon Rainforest Fires: What is the leading cause of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest?
“The dramatic mural stands as a stark symbol of the environmental crisis gripping the region,” reported Stand.earth. “This summer has been one of South America’s worst wildfire seasons in history. The overwhelming majority of these fires were set intentionally to clear land for industrial-scale agriculture. Additionally, unprecedented flooding has swept across southern Brazil. Made worse by the region’s ongoing deforestation and environmental destabilization.”
The artwork captures the devastation the company’s owners have brought to the region. The powerful resistance is led by Native communities. They live on the frontlines of this environmental battle against deforestation.
There is some good news from the company. In November of 2023, Cargill promised to “eliminate the destruction of forests and other critical ecosystems.” Those in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. By 2025. Which is good news. However, there are doubts. The company’s “long history of breaking their commitments raises doubts about its following through with their promise.”
“Artivism is a way to raise awareness about the climate emergency, humanity’s greatest challenge,” street artist Mundano said.
“In Brazil and around the world, we are suffering from heat waves. As well as severe droughts and floods caused by the environmental imbalance that large corporations like Cargill are promoting…
“My country has been swallowed up by the smoke of greed,” said Mundano.
“I ask the Cargill-MacMillans, do you want to be remembered for being a family that accelerated the extinction of humanity? Or for being the family that understood the urgency and was one of the driving forces behind initiating major global change?”
Thiago Mundano was born in São Paulo. He began his street art in the early 21st Century. Mundano began by painting bright graffiti on government and corporate buildings. He often had to repaint them. Again and again.
He began doing larger works. One was a memorial to workers who died in a destructive flood. His later The Forest Brigade was a tribute to the valiant firefighters who battled the Amazon basin wildfires. Mundano’s art has been called, “Good for the soul.”
Following the unveiling of Mundano’s mural, Stand.earth will intensify its efforts. Delivering the deforestation message directly to the family’s doorstep. To be done with a series of posters created by Indigenous leaders and villagers with Mundano.
Each poster bears their individual names emblazoned in the same ash as the mural. It’s accompanied by the phrase “Keep Your Promise – Stop the Destruction!”
“The Cargill-MacMillian family says they’re not responsible for the actions of Cargill. Because they aren’t involved in the company’s management,” said Mathew Jacobson. Mathew is Burning Legacy Director at Stand.earth.
“That’s like saying you’re not responsible if your dog bites someone. Because you’re not involved in training your dog. As the owners of Cargill, they bear the ultimate responsibility for its actions. They must decide now whether their family legacy will be one of changing course and protecting our planet. Or contributing to its demise.”
Cargill is sourcing from plantations that destroy South America’s forests. And other critical ecosystems to produce grain. Also, Cargill is aggressively promoting the construction of a mega railway which would destroy forests through the heart of the Brazilian Amazon. The project, called Ferrogrão, is proposed to cut through over 600 miles of Amazon rainforest.
This is the Rainforest between the Xingu and Tapajós river basins. Causing an estimated half a million acres of deforestation.
The project aims to expand grain production. And reduce shipping costs to supply animal feed to China and Europe. They will use the Tapajós river to get to the Atlantic.
Currently suspended by Brazil’s Supreme Court, Ferrogrão would intensify ongoing violations in the region. This will affect conservation units, Indigenous lands, and local communities without their consent or consultation.
“To boost their profits, Cargill’s reckless push to build the Ferrogrão mega-railway would sacrifice the Amazon and the Cerrado. This violates the rights of Indigenous people and local communities,” said Pedro Charbel, Brazil campaigns advisor at Amazon Watch.
“This mega deforestation project further expands soy and corn production. It’s the opposite of the company’s commitment to eliminate deforestation. The Cargill-MacMillian family must renounce Cargill’s support for Ferrogrão. Stop its advance.”
Here in North America, we knew about the burning of the Amazon forests. But this is a brand new story to me. We need to keep watching. And support those fighting Deforestation. It’s for the Good of us all! Follow these Links:
“I use my art to get people to reflect on the corrupted political system. On all the false promises. And all the awful waste.” – Mundano
AMAZON RAINFOREST FIRES Stop Deforestation: Brazilian Artivist Mundano
“Live Free, Mon Ami!” – Brian Alan Burhoe
[1] “After a long journey through the world of forests, I am finally doing what I wanted to do as a small child: Nature conservation.” – Peter Wohlleben
President Teddy Roosevelt was warning Americans and the World about “Climate Change” and “Deforestation” way back in 1908. In his prophetic “Eighth Annual Message to the Senate and House of Representatives.” See Teddy Roosevelt Called it Climate Change in 1908!
“Their stories, heroes and religions were of the forest.” Our Canada is a Young Wilderness Nation. A Forest Culture. “Canada’s National Animal should be rebranded…” What is Canada’s National Animal? The Polar Bear!
SOURCE Stand.earth, PRNewswire & Civilized Bears
Amazon Rainforest Fires: what is the leading cause of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest?
Explain how the destruction of forests affects atmospheric levels of carbon. Facts about deforestation, eliminate deforestation. Deforestation in Brazil 2024. #KeepYourPromise
