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Time for global business to stop profiting from Amazon destruction

by Tica Minami - 13 April, 2016

Huge hydropower dams in the Amazon rainforest aren't just bad for Indigenous communities, biodiversity and the climate – they're bad for the companies involved. Here's why.

The Amazon is the world's largest remaining area of tropical rainforest, but every day it gets a little smaller – while big business profits get a little bigger. Over 750,000 km² of Amazon rainforest (an area larger than all of France) has already been destroyed by industrial agriculture, cattle ranching, illegal logging and infrastructure projects. And new threats keep coming: this time in the Tapajós River basin.

What's happening in the Tapajós?

The Brazilian government is planning a massive hydropower project for the Tapajós basin – over 40 medium or large dams, including one 7.6 km wide mega-dam. This dam alone would flood an area of rainforest the size of New York City, threatening the livelihoods of the Indigenous Munduruku People who have lived along the Tapajós River for centuries. The mega-dam – called São Luiz do Tapajós – doesn't just threaten local communities and ecosystems. It also harms the climate. Building the massive structure produces substantial emissions, as does the decay of flooded rainforest vegetation and soil.

Figure 1

So who would want to help build the São Luiz do Tapajós dam?

It takes huge amounts of capital and technology from companies all over the world to build a hydropower dam. Greenpeace Brazil has been investigating who might want to profit from this destructive project and released a new report on their findings – and on the risky nature of Amazon hydropower – today. So far, Greenpeace Brazil has found that the São Luiz do Tapajós dam is attracting the interest of a number of Brazilian and foreign energy companies. None of these companies have announced their intentions publicly yet, though.

What's at stake for companies who get involved with São Luiz do Tapajós dam?

The banks, insurers, suppliers and contractors that become involved in Amazon hydropower projects face serious financial and reputational risks. Hydropower dams attract international attention for their destruction to the environment and impacts on local communities. Moreover, these dams and other large government infrastructure projects have also recently been tied to corruption. Amazon destruction impacts all of us. People must act globally to stop this global project. Brazil's dash for Amazon hydropower is destined to fail its people while enriching a few. Wherever you are in the world, your voice matters. Add your name to help keep the Tapajos alive!