In an op-ed featured on Mongabay, the Executive Directors of the Rainforest Foundations of the United States, Norway, and the United Kingdom emphasize the essential role of Indigenous peoples in addressing the climate crisis. They urge the global elite to not only acknowledge this vital role but also to provide financial support.
As 2023 draws to a close, Rainforest Foundation US (RFUS) proudly reflects on a year filled with significant accomplishments. This year, our commitment to protecting rainforests and supporting Indigenous communities has been recognized by Marie Claire, Impactful Ninja, and Donor Box, highlighting our strategic and effective approach to environmental stewardship.
Josh Lichtenstein, Program Manager at Rainforest Foundation US, expresses disappointment at the rejection of the appeal from the Amerindian Peoples Association of Guyana (APA) by carbon certifier ART. “The issues raised by APA’s complaint and appeal are serious and ongoing, and have, if nothing else, clearly demonstrated that the ART validation and verification process is deeply flawed, and the grievance mechanism does not work,” he says.
Brazil’s Federal Supreme Court is poised to make a critical decision on the Marco Temporal, a legal argument with profound implications for the land rights of Indigenous peoples. Dinamam Tuxá, the Executive Coordinator of the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB), and Suzanne Pelletier, the Executive Director of Rainforest Foundation US, condemn this “time limit” on land rights in an op-ed featured on Mongabay.
In Peru, land titling processes typically take years, even decades. However, this time, a collaborative effort involving Indigenous communities, Indigenous people’s organizations like AIDESEP and FECOTYBA, along with Rainforest Foundation US and the Regional Government of Loreto, achieved a remarkable resolution in just ten months.
In her latest article, Akola Thompson, advocacy coordinator at Guyana’s South Rupununi District Council, delves into the impacts of carbon offsetting on the Indigenous peoples of Guyana. She highlights the government’s persistent refusal to acknowledge Indigenous communities’ claims to their customary lands.
Guyana has added almost all its forests to the carbon market, signing a $750 million carbon credit deal with petroleum company Hess Corporation, of which 15% will go to Indigenous communities. However, climate experts and Indigenous leaders are questioning the scheme’s accuracy in measuring carbon emissions and whether communities were properly consulted.
For the United Nations, the 2023 theme for International Women’s Day is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.” Discover how indigenous woman leaders in Loreto, Ucayali, and Madre de Dios in Peru are protecting the Amazon rainforest using monitoring technologies.
Whether you’re passionate about advocating for the rights of indigenous communities, fighting against industries that cause deforestation, or preserving the Amazon rainforest for future generations, there are various charities you can support. We are honored to be listed as one of the top charities to support in 2023.
With so many global charities supporting the climate, we are proud and grateful to see several publications recognize Rainforest Foundation US on their “Best Charities” lists.
To counteract climate change, we must protect indigenous peoples. Rainforest Foundation US’s Executive Director lays out why.
Marie Claire highlights RFUS and other environmental groups to support, on Earth Day and every day.
Will you listen?
Any amount makes a difference.
Didier Devers
Chief of Party – USAID Guatemala
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Didier has been coordinating the USAID-funded B’atz project since joining Rainforest Foundation US in April 2022. He holds a Master’s in Applied Anthropology and a Bachelor’s in Geography. Before joining the organization, Didier worked for 12 years in Central and South America on issues of transparency, legality, governance, and managing stakeholders’ processes in the environmental sector. Prior to that he worked on similar issues in Central Africa. He speaks French, Spanish, and English, and is based in Guatemala.
