What Does Amazon Aid Do?

A LETTER FROM OUR FOUNDER

Sarah duPont Amazon Aid Founder & President

Dear World Citizens,

Thank you for your interest in protecting the Amazon. The Amazon is now even closer than ever to the tipping point, and the time is now to become a voice to save it.

Many of you have been asking what Amazon Aid does and what you can do to help.

Amazon Aid’s mission is to create awareness and inspire change to save the Amazon. We work with some of the world’s best tropical scientists to create scientifically impeccable multi-media to educate global audiences about the importance of the Amazon, the implications of its destruction, and to promote realistic solutions for protecting it.

Our award-winning projects have been seen on 5 continents and have been an inspiration for global policy change, including being an impetus for the creation of CINCIA, a scientific and educational research center in the Peruvian Amazon; as one of three major projects picked by the US Government to be showcased at COP 20; and through the world premiere of Amazon Aid’s Anthem for the Amazon in Spanish at COP 21 in Paris.

As the Amazon becomes more compromised, Amazon Aid is even more dedicated to our mission of educating global audiences about the destruction of this critical ecosystem. A root cause of the recent Amazon fires is from the heating of our world and the rapid deforestation from mining, oil and gas, ranching, and farming.

Today, Amazon Aid is at the forefront of combatting one of the worst types of deforestation in the Amazon; illicit and unregulated artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). Our powerful award-winning film “River of Gold” documents the apocalyptic destruction of the Amazon through unregulated and illicit small scale gold mining (ASGM), which not only destroys and burns the forests, but uses mercury in the process. ASGM is responsible for being the number one source of mercury pollution in the world. Mercury is a neurotoxin that causes a lower IQ, organ damage and in some cases a shortened lifespan. Most people have no idea of where their gold comes from. On average, it takes 20 tons of earth in the Amazon to produce one gold wedding band.

River of Gold is an important film that has been seen all over world from the UN in Geneva, to the Vatican, to classrooms worldwide educating global audiences about the devastating consequences of illicit and unregulated gold mining in the Amazon.

While artisanal and small-scale mining can be an important economic opportunity for peoples in poverty, it also attracts illicit activities and organized crime, including child slavery and human trafficking, money laundering, narcotic trafficking, and the funding of terrorist activities. Recently, indigenous peoples of Brazil were murdered when trying to protect their lands from the gold miners. This type of gold mining is happening in every country in the Amazon, and in approximately 80 countries worldwide.

Amazon Aid believes in taking a holistic approach in educating global audiences and for tackling the complex threats that are today taking the Amazon closer to the tipping point.

One of Amazon Aid’s strengths is in working with world experts who can help us shine a light on the complex issues related to the Amazon and the forces behind its destruction. We are currently working at high levels with organizations and individuals from the jewelry industry, UNEP, GEF Gold, Human Rights Watch, Survival International, Universities globally and with scientists, educators, artists, and influencers to promote realistic ways to save the Amazon.

There is a window now for saving the Amazon. Join Amazon Aid in being part of the growing voice to protect the Amazon and help save our planet.

We are stronger TOGETHER.

Sarah duPont