In Rio de Janeiro's Tijuca Forest, surrounded by over 40 favelas lacking sewage systems, the Vale Encantado favela has built a biodigester and rooftop solar power system to address sanitation and energy issues. Community activist Otavio Barros, a member of the Vale Encanto Cooperative, spearheaded the initiative after years of untreated sewage affecting the local environment. With the help of Taboa Engenharia and the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, the community designed a cost-effective biodigester and artificial wetland. The project, completed in 2022, employs local residents and aims to foster sustainable tourism and income opportunities. The cooperative also installed a solar power system to reduce electricity costs, hoping to inspire other communities facing similar challenges.

In Camocim, Ceará, the fishing village of Praia do Xavier was erased from maps to facilitate the construction of the Central Eólica Praia Formosa wind farm by French company Siif Énergies do Brasil. The wind farm, operational since 2009, has significantly impacted the local community, which previously relied on artisanal fishing and agriculture. The community was not consulted, and their traditional way of life was disrupted by the construction and operation of the wind farm. Legal battles ensued, and the community received some compensation, including new houses. However, issues like food insecurity and land speculation persist. The case highlights the need for inclusive approaches and real consultations with affected communities in renewable energy projects.

Brazil's handling of the pandemic, particularly the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines, has come under scrutiny with allegations of corruption and negligence within the Health Ministry. A parliamentary inquiry commission (CPI) has been investigating the government's response, uncovering evidence of overpricing and irregularities in the contract for the Indian Covaxin vaccine. President Jair Bolsonaro, who campaigned on anti-corruption, is implicated in the scandal, having been informed of the irregularities but failing to act. The scandal has led to protests, weakened Bolsonaro's anti-corruption stance, and may impact his chances in the 2022 elections. Despite this, Bolsonaro still has a strong following on social networks, which could influence his re-election campaign.

Brazilian archaeologists have discovered numerous 2,000-year-old rock carvings in Jalapão State Park, Tocantins, depicting human footprints, celestial bodies, and animals. The findings, made during expeditions between 2022 and 2023, include 16 precolonial archaeological sites with engravings and red paintings, suggesting cultural connections and settlement patterns of ancient communities. The rock art, which may have been created using pointed stones and pigments from iron minerals, provides insights into the spirituality and way of life of Indigenous groups. The work, led by Rômulo Macêdo of IPHAN and commented on by archaeology professor Marcos Zimmermann, indicates technical and thematic similarities with other Brazilian sites, dating the art to around 2,000 years ago. Further analysis and excavations are expected to reveal more about the precolonial populations.

Brazilian archaeologists from the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage discovered numerous 2,000-year-old rock carvings in Jalapão State Park, Tocantins, depicting human footprints, celestial bodies, and animals. The findings, made during expeditions between 2022 and 2023, include 16 precolonial archaeological sites with engravings and red paintings, suggesting cultural connections and settlement patterns of ancient communities. The rock art, which may be older than previously found stone artifacts, provides insights into the Indigenous groups' way of life and spirituality. Further analysis and excavations are expected to yield more information about the precolonial populations.

The article discusses the environmental challenges faced by the Enchanted Valley (Vale Encantado) in Tijuca Forest, Rio de Janeiro, where sewage was improperly disposed of, contaminating a local waterfall. A member of the Vale Encanto Cooperative, Barros, was motivated to seek solutions after a tourist was warned against bathing in the polluted waterfall. The cooperative is part of the Sustainable Favela Network, aiming for socio-environmental resilience. The article also touches on the history of Tijuca Forest, including deforestation for homes, farms, and coffee plantations since the arrival of the Portuguese royal family in 1808, and the subsequent reforestation ordered by Emperor Dom Pedro II in 1861 due to environmental concerns.

The article discusses the decline of the juçara palm in southeastern Brazil's Atlantic Forest due to overharvesting for heart of palm, which was once a significant industry. The extraction of heart of palm, a popular food item, led to the endangerment of the juçara palm, prompting the Brazilian government to impose restrictions and eventually ban the practice. Despite this, illegal harvesting continued. The article highlights the efforts of Cooperfloresta and the Florestal Foundation, which are involved in agroforestry and reforestation programs aimed at reviving the juçara palm population. These programs encourage local farmers to harvest juçara fruits sustainably and participate in a circular economy that supports the repopulation of the species in the Atlantic Forest.

The article by Lobato Felizola discusses the ongoing deforestation and environmental degradation of the Amazon rainforest, highlighting the role of the Brazilian government and private interests in facilitating this destruction. It outlines the history of exploitation in the Amazon, the impact of deforestation on biodiversity and climate, and the legislative maneuvers that legitimize land grabbing and environmental crimes. The article also touches on the international dimension, with U.S. corporations and financial institutions implicated in the trade of commodities linked to deforestation. The journalist criticizes the Brazilian government's lack of commitment to stopping illegal deforestation and the weakening of environmental agencies. The article concludes by emphasizing the dire consequences of the current policies and practices for the future of the Amazon and the planet.

Archaeologists in São Luís, Brazil, have uncovered an ancient Indigenous cemetery with over 40 skeletons and numerous artifacts, some dating back 10,000 years, which may represent a previously unknown ancestral community. The site, Farm Rosane, was discovered during preparations for a government housing program. The excavation, led by Wellington Lage, revealed human remains and artifacts from at least four different periods, including the Sambaquian peoples. The oldest skeleton, buried nearly 7 feet deep, was dated using optically stimulated luminescence, indicating a pre-Sambaquian population. Further analysis will be conducted by Beta Analytic in the U.S. The project, in collaboration with IPHAN and the Federal University of Maranhão, includes plans for a curation center, research lab, and museum to preserve and study the findings.

The article discusses the emergence of ancient petroglyphs in the Amazon rainforest due to a severe drought affecting the region. These carvings, which could be up to 2,000 years old, have been exposed as the water level of the Negro River has dropped to its lowest point since records began in 1902. Indigenous archaeologist Carlos Augusto da Silva from the Federal University of Amazonas and Eduardo Góes Neves from the University of São Paulo provide insights into the significance and potential age of these engravings. The petroglyphs, located at a cultural heritage site known as 'Encontro das Águas,' have drawn attention to the skill and intelligence of the region's ancient inhabitants. The Brazilian Ministry of the Environment attributes the drought to factors including El Niño and climate change. The article also highlights concerns about the preservation of these archaeological artifacts as public interest increases.

The article discusses the emergence of ancient petroglyphs in the Amazon rainforest due to a severe drought affecting the region. These carvings, which could be up to 2,000 years old, have been exposed as the water level of the Negro River has dropped to its lowest point since records began in 1902. Indigenous archaeologist Carlos Augusto da Silva from the Federal University of Amazonas and Eduardo Góes Neves from the University of São Paulo provide insights into the significance and potential age of these engravings. The petroglyphs, located at a cultural heritage site known as 'Encontro das Águas,' have drawn attention to the skill and intelligence of the region's ancient inhabitants. The Brazilian Ministry of the Environment attributes the drought to factors including El Niño and climate change. The article also highlights concerns about the preservation of these archaeological artifacts as public interest increases.

The article discusses the impact of record-setting rains in Brazil and the varied responses of different communities. Meteorologist Marcelo Seluchi of Cemaden explains the role of human actions in exacerbating natural disasters. Urbanization and climate change have increased the risk of landslides and floods, particularly in Brazil's Atlantic Forest region. The article contrasts the outcomes in Bertioga, São Sebastião, and Guarujá during the February 2023 rains, highlighting the importance of effective warning systems and disaster prevention plans. Guarujá's proactive measures, including social media alerts and Civil Defense actions, helped avoid fatalities. The Brazilian Federation of Geologists criticizes the negligence of administrations in managing risks. The article also describes a community project in Sítio Conceiçãozinha that successfully reduced flooding through environmental cleanup. Journalist Ricardo Lobato Felizola emphasizes the need for better disaster preparedness and community engagement to prevent future tragedies.

In Brazil, where abortion has been illegal since 1890 with few exceptions, a recent case of an eleven-year-old girl raped and denied an abortion has sparked outrage. Despite no legal gestational limit for rape-related abortions, a hospital refused the procedure, and a judge suggested adoption instead. The case highlights the diminished access to abortion in Brazil, contrasting with other Latin American countries that have decriminalized it. The article discusses the broader context of abortion rights in the region, the role of the Catholic Church, and the influence of conservative movements, while also noting the potential impact of recent setbacks in the United States on Brazil's abortion debate.

Brazil, once a leader in vaccination campaigns, has faced significant challenges in its COVID-19 vaccination efforts, resulting in a high number of deaths. President Jair Bolsonaro's government has been criticized for its handling of the pandemic, including minimizing the virus, promoting unproven treatments, and delaying vaccine agreements. The article details how Brazil missed opportunities to secure doses from pharmaceutical companies like Sinovac Biotech, AstraZeneca, and Pfizer, leading to a slow vaccination rollout and supply shortages. Political disputes and Bolsonaro's contentious relationship with China are also highlighted as contributing factors to the vaccine crisis. Despite these challenges, Brazil has begun its vaccination campaign with Coronavac, Oxford/AstraZeneca, and Pfizer vaccines, but the pace is slow, and shortages have led to the suspension of vaccination in some cities.

The article discusses a controversial bill in the Brazilian Senate that aims to make legal and safe abortion more difficult, even in cases where it is currently permitted by law. The bill, presented by Senator Eduardo Girão, includes a proposal for a financial aid fund for rape victims who carry pregnancies to term and requires women to inform the father about the child, even if he is the abuser. Abortion in Brazil is legal only in specific circumstances, and the bill has faced significant opposition from feminist movements and reproductive rights activists. Critics argue that the bill is a conservative attempt to restrict women's autonomy over their bodies. The bill's rapporteur, Senator Simone Tebet, has indicated potential changes to the bill after widespread criticism. The article also touches on the broader context of abortion laws in Latin America, mentioning Argentina's recent legalization of abortion and the high rates of unwanted pregnancies in countries with restrictive abortion laws.

The article discusses Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's speech at the Leaders' Summit on Climate, critiquing it as mere posturing without substantive action behind it. It highlights the contradiction between Bolsonaro's promises to combat deforestation and the reality of ongoing environmental degradation in the Amazon. The article points out that Indigenous territories, which hold a significant portion of the world's biodiversity, are being blamed by Bolsonaro for forest fires, despite evidence to the contrary. It also covers the lack of new demarcations for Indigenous lands and the threats they face from land grabbers and deforesters. The article criticizes Environment Minister Ricardo Salles for his suspected involvement in covering up illegal logging activities and the subsequent budget cuts to environmental agencies, which undermine efforts to protect the Amazon. It warns that without real action, the Amazon rainforest could be lost, exacerbating the climate crisis.