Into the Brazilian Amazon
About the Collection
This collection features exclusive footage, interviews and data visualisations captured for Open Planet, sharing the crucial story of the Brazilian Amazon as it responds to the planetary crisis.
Through our library, we are documenting the incredible biodiversity of the rainforest, highlighting the causes and consequences of environmental issues such as deforestation and climate change, and sharing powerful perspectives of those who call the Amazon home.
The power of storytelling
Explore and use world-class footage from our library to tell the story of the globally important Amazon region and help inspire action to protect it.
Discover moreThe Story of the Brazilian Amazon
As the largest rainforest in the world, the Amazon supports people and wildlife globally. Spanning eight countries across South America, it is home to 10% of the world’s known species, over 400 billion trees, and 47 million people, including more than 400 Indigenous communities.
The diversity of life in the Amazon is supported by its unique mosaic of vegetation and habitats, including forests, grasslands, rivers and wetlands. It also stores an estimated 150-200 billion tonnes of carbon in its soil, plants and trees, helping to regulate the world’s climate.
Most of the Amazon Rainforest is found in Brazil.
The Brazilian Amazon is one of the most biodiverse places in the world. However, the exploitation of its natural resources, teamed with the impacts of climate change, are among major threats to the future of the Amazon as we know it.
In recent decades, the Amazon has experienced mass deforestation driven by farming, infrastructure and urban development, as well as illegal logging and mining. This wide-scale destruction often involves clearing the land by fire, causing further damage to the environment. The region is also on the frontline of climate change, with 2023 marking its worst drought on record, with long-term impacts for local communities and wildlife.
"The invasion of loggers is very bad. They rip through the forest with huge machines and take valuable wood. Trees that are one hundred years old, two hundred, gone in a day."
— Adriano Karipuna, Spokesperson of the Karipuna Indigenous People
Data visualisation by EarthTime shows deforestation around the Karipuna Indigenous Territory in the Brazilian Amazon between 1984-2023. Available here.
Reaching a tipping point
Without urgent protection, the combined effects of unsustainable land use and global warming will mean a major reduction in annual rainfall for the Amazon, teamed with a significantly longer dry season.
Scientists believe the Amazon is nearing a ‘tipping point’, whereby large areas of the rainforest could shift into a dry savannah. This would have severe impacts on water, food and energy security, health, economies and other services, with major consequences for local communities and the global climate.
However, the future of the Amazon is not a binary choice between preserving the rainforest or economic development. Research suggests there is vast opportunity to protect and restore the forest while also reducing emissions, supporting local communities, and boosting economic growth across all major sectors – including agriculture and livestock production.
Many of the solutions already exist.
As part of this growing collection on Open Planet, we’re capturing stories of the projects, initiatives and inspired local efforts helping to safeguard the Amazon.
This includes sustainable farming practices helping to generate income for local communities while restoring the forest; to the use of drones, camera traps and other technologies enabling Indigenous Peoples to monitor and report illegal deforestation on their protected land.
Harnessing Indigenous wisdom
Despite the protected status of their territories, Indigenous communities are on the frontlines of forest degradation and loss, and are exposed to threats from illegal loggers seeking to clear the forest for agriculture and other uses.
The invaluable knowledge and actions of Indigenous Peoples, combined with specific policies and global conservation efforts, have been key to protecting the Amazon. Research has shown deforestation to be up to 83% lower in areas protected by Indigenous communities.
"We can’t destroy the forest because the forest takes care of us as human beings. It is the future of our existence and of future children. It’s important to human beings and to the world."
— Junior Hekurari Yanomami, Chief of the Yanomami People
It is vital that Indigenous Peoples are part of decision-making to shape the future of the Amazon. Additionally, by calling for collaboration between governments, businesses, NGOs, and local stakeholders, and promoting responsible consumer choices, people globally can help forge a path towards a thriving and protected future for the Amazon that benefits people and nature.
Brazil's leadership on the global stage
In 2024-25, Brazil is a uniquely positioned on the global stage as president of the G20 and COP30 events. These will bring together world leaders to help raise ambition and action on the planetary crisis. By sharing stories of the Brazilian Amazon and showcasing the solutions to safeguard its future, we can help to inspire action at key moments for impact.
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