21 May, 2024

Gabriela Barzallo Amazon Rainforest, Ecuador Hola! This week, Future Earth is coming to you from the Ecuadorian Amazon. I'm Gabriela Barzallo, an environmental journalist based in Quito, Ecuador. I recently travelled seven hours by road from the chilly Andes into the steamy green forest of the Amazon. Here, I met a group of indigenous women who have taken the fate of their pristine patch of rainforest into their own hands. Deforestation and mining have left scars throughout Ecuador's Amazon, but the group I met – the Yuturi Warmi – are seeking sustainable alternatives. Also in this edition, why oceans are getting greener and an epic vulture road trip.

CLIMATE CONVERSATION  Ecuador's rainforest protectors Leila Cerda, a member of the Yuturi Warmi, in the Serena community in rural Ecuador. Credit: Ana Maria Buitrón It was nightfall before we reached the remote community of Serena, home to the Yuturi Warmi. My colleagues, photographer Ana Maria Buitrón and our local driver Darwin, and I were warmly greeted by Eli, one of the community's active and youthful members. ‌ We slept surrounded by the forest's symphony, a melodic blend of rustling leaves, the murmuring river, croaking frogs, chirping birds, and nocturnal creatures orchestrating their own chorus. ‌ Ana and I awoke at 3:30am in total darkness. Venturing outside, we spotted a fire glowing in the distance. As we drew closer, we discovered Elsa, one of the Amazonian guardians, already preparing for the morning ceremony.

The indigenous community is exploring sustainable alternatives for income besides mining. Credit: Ana Maria Buitrón Elsa introduced us to the members of the Yuturi Warmi. In the local Kichwa language, "Yuturi" refers to a type of ant in the Amazon known for its strong and defensive nature, and "Warmi" means woman. The group offered us guayusa and chicha, traditional beverages, and included us in their tobacco ritual, a customary gesture extended to every visitor to the community. ‌ "Thank you for coming. Sharing our methods of land protection with the Western world is important for sharing the vital importance of preserving the Amazon," Elsa told us.

A way of life Later, we ventured to the river – a pristine oasis seemingly untouched by pollution. A stark contrast awaited us in nearby communities where water bodies have been contaminated by mining. ‌ "It's not just about protecting our home; it's about preserving our way of life for future generations," Elsa said. The group hopes to inspire other women and indigenous communities in the Amazon to take environmental action. ‌ I'm moved by the resilience of the Yuturi Warmi. They advocate for a fossil fuel-free economy and fight every day to protect the Amazon. It's a picture seen playing out more widely in South America. Studies have found that upholding indigenous rights is linked to less deforestation, and better regrowth of forest in Brazil. ‌ To follow the achievements of the Yuturi Warmi so far, you can read my full report here.

NUMBER OF THE WEEK 2,000 years For two millennia, the Earth never saw a hotter summer than in 2023, an investigation of tree rings has found.