Nathalie Kelley Instagram – This is my Holy Land. These are my Sacred Waters. The Tapajos river and the Alter do Chão aquifer are the source of life for all the living beings who call this part of the Amazon home. For 30 000 years humans have depended on these waters for their survival and mutual thriving… but now it’s difficult to find a part that hasn’t been contaminated by agro-toxins or mercury from gold mining. The governor of this state @helderbarbalho loves to paint himself as a “leader” on climate and sustainability but since 2019 an area over the size of Belgium has been deforested under his watch. He is very careful to silence anyone who dares to criticize him or challenge his blatant greenwashing, but those living here can attest to his failure to protect our waters and forests at time when the Amazon rainforest is inching closer to its tipping point. Fires rage around me as I write this, the river is lower than anyone can remember it… these beautiful photos bely the terrible truth that this vital ecosystem might not make it if companies like @cargill and @proudtobebunge get their way and are allowed to continue their spree of destruction here… they certainly have an ally in @helderbarbalho who can’t wait to give his approval for @cargill’s 3rd soy port. As if two ports for export of monocultures in the most biodiverse place on earth weren’t enough… 🙄 I have a big platform and don’t fear reprisal but believe me, there are people who have been killed for publicly speaking up against these very same forces. I am not afraid. I’m in service to these igarapés, sacred springs, to the swans and river dolphins. I speak for the Waters, for the Soil and the Standing Ones, the trees who nourish us with food and oxygen daily. I’ll be back with more reports, more details, more evidence. But with COP around the corner I want you all to keep your attention on people/companies like @helderbarbalho @cargill @proudtobebunge. What they say vs what they actually do. 👀 We are watching. 🏹