Environmental organizations and social movements launch the ÓSocioBio observatory; its objective is to expand public policies to strengthen the economy practiced by indigenous peoples, traditional communities, and family farmers, as an alternative to monoculture production methods that are harmful to the environment.
A group of environmental organizations and social movements met with parliamentarians in the Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday, June 1st, for the launch of the Observatory of the Socio-biodiversity Economy, named... ÓSocioBioExperts advocated for the need to promote a biodiversity-focused economy, based on knowledge derived from the ancestral practices of traditional communities. The event, held in the Freitas Nobre auditorium, was a partnership with the Parliamentary Environmental Front, the Parliamentary Front for Food and Nutritional Security, and the Parliamentary Front in Defense of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The event was broadcast on TV Câmara [watch the recording]. hereThe event concluded with the reading of the collective's founding manifesto [see full text]. here].
Among the speakers, Jeferson Straatmann, Technical Coordinator of Value Chains at the Socio-Environmental Institute (ISA), highlighted that the sustainable extraction practices of traditional rubber tappers, for example, coexist with the standing forest and oppose the mechanized monoculture extraction model, which loses associated knowledge.
“The rubber tree is close to high biodiversity. These are ways of doing and producing that generate distinct impacts. These distinct economies compete on an equal footing in the market; public policies promote competition without burdening the chains with the greatest environmental impact. Is monoculture the future?” Straatmann questioned.
Given the reality of climate change on a global level, experts and community leaders have pointed out that rethinking the modes of income and wealth production in Brazil is urgent, considering that the consequences generated by rising deforestation are unsustainable. For the organizations and movements that make up ÓSocioBio, the path forward lies in encouraging and protecting sustainable economic activities practiced by indigenous peoples, traditional communities, and family farmers.
“The consumption of products derived from socio-biodiversity is conscious consumption because it contributes to conservation through sustainable use and to social justice in the country, guaranteeing the maintenance of territories and socio-environmental services, income and food security for society,” explained Guilherme Eidt, public policy advisor at ISPN, who accompanied the activity at the legislative house.
From the opening panel, federal deputy Joênia Wapichana pointed out the clarity of the Federal Constitution in affirming the Brazilian State's obligation to the environment, and highlighted the current effects of climate change in the states of Pernambuco and Roraima. “The economic issue for indigenous peoples is food security, something that is threatened by climate change. The question that should be asked of candidates in the elections is: what will be your plan for the climate and for the socio-biodiversity economy?” she noted.
Among the deputies who also participated were the national vice president of the PT, Marcio Macedo (PT/SE), Nilto Tatto (PT/SP), Erika Kokay (PT/DF), Talíria Petrone (Psol/RJ), Alessandro Molon (PSB/RJ) and Padre João (PT/MG). Representing civil society were representatives from the National Council of Extractive Populations (CNS), the National Confederation of Agricultural Workers (Contag), the Institute for Society, Population and Nature (ISPN), WWF-Brazil, the Climate Observatory, the Sustainable Connections Institute (Conexsus), the Institute for Indigenous Research and Training (Iepé), Fian-Brazil, ACT Health Promotion, among other entities.
We need to look at the social aspect.
Dione Torquato, Secretary-General of the CNS, spoke about the intrinsic relationship between the lifestyles of traditional communities and care for the environment. “Today is a special, historic day, especially for us, traditional peoples and communities, family farmers, and rural movements. [This day] represents an act of resistance in such a difficult political context as this, with so many attacks on communities. It is a moment of affirmation and positioning. We want Parliament to be involved and engaged with the agenda of cultural diversity, multiplicity, and diversity that this country represents. This Congress has a historical debt to this agenda,” he declared.
Sandra Bonetti, Secretary of the Environment at Contag, highlighted the importance of family farmers' representation in parliamentary debates. “We understand how important it is for us, family farmers, to have a leading role in the debate on socio-biodiversity. Beyond biodiversity, we also have to look at the social aspect. That's why it's called 'socio-biodiversity'. It is the traditional peoples, from the countryside and the forest, who truly care for our environment,” she emphasized.
Towards a carbon-neutral Brazil
Suely Araújo, senior specialist at the Climate Observatory, recalled Brazil's goal of being carbon neutral by 2045 and stressed the need to promote a type of agriculture in the country that differs from the monoculture currently in place. Her argument reinforced the analysis of her colleagues at the table, such as Márcio Santilli, founding partner of ISA.
“This socio-biodiversity economy, also called the forest economy, is the enemy of monoculture. Supporting this type of economy is not the same as promoting monoculture, an isolated economic chain. It is necessary to have proposals and solutions that guarantee the diversity and survival of natural ecosystems, for the construction of a sustainable horizon,” said Santilli.
The newly launched Observatory plans two activities: delivering a letter of recommendations to presidential candidates and holding a public hearing on the economics of socio-biodiversity, to be held on June 22nd. These actions can be followed on the organizations' Twitter profiles.
About ÓSocioBio
The Observatory of the Economics of Sociobiodiversity brings together environmental NGOs, rural social movements, and indigenous and traditional populations in Brazil, such as ISA, ISPN, WWF-Brazil, Contag, CNS, Memorial Chico Mendes, Articulação Pacari, and others (see the complete list at [link]). creation letterThe initiative is based on a three-pronged approach that combines Economy, People, and Biodiversity. The goal is to influence projects in the National Congress and the Executive Branch to ensure sustainability in Brazilian economic and social development, while valuing traditional peoples and communities.