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Check FAQAbout Sam
Sam Cowie is a journalist based in São Paulo, Brazil.
Video Package (Web / Broadcast)
Audio package (Radio / Podcast)
Interview (Video / Broadcast)
Fact Checking
Portfolio
I live in Brazil where Twitter is banned – Musk would do well to see how quickly life moved on
The article explores the impact of the Twitter ban in Brazil, highlighting the ongoing conflict between Elon Musk and Supreme Court justice Alexandre de Moraes. It delves into the political polarization in Brazil, the role of social media in shaping public discourse, and the adaptability of journalists and citizens in the face of technological changes. The ban is seen as part of a broader struggle between big tech and national sovereignty, with implications for journalism, culture, and communication in Brazil.
Brazil Votes: Indigenous Candidates Target Bolsonaro Stronghold
In Roraima, Brazil, Indigenous candidates are challenging the stronghold of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who is known for his pro-mining rhetoric that has led to increased illegal mining and environmental degradation on Indigenous lands. Joenia Wapichana, the first Indigenous woman elected to Congress, is seeking re-election and criticizes Bolsonaro's policies as harmful to Indigenous communities. A record number of Indigenous candidates are running in the October 2 elections, facing challenges due to limited budgets and lack of traditional political support. The article highlights the tension between the economic benefits of illegal mining and the environmental and social costs, with Indigenous rights groups and candidates advocating for the protection of their lands and the removal of illegal miners.
‘Do not buy Brazilian gold’: interview with indigenous leader Júnior Hekurari Yanomami
Indigenous leader Júnior Hekurari Yanomami urges the global community not to purchase Brazilian gold, highlighting the humanitarian crisis in the Yanomami Territory due to illegal mining. The crisis was exacerbated under former President Jair Bolsonaro's far-right administration. Current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has prioritized removing illegal miners and holding investors accountable. Federal authorities have conducted operations to dismantle mining operations, but challenges remain, including the use of high-tech equipment like Elon Musk's Starlink satellites by illegal miners. Júnior emphasizes the need for sustainable employment solutions and remains concerned about potential political changes that could reverse progress.
Amazonian Migration: Small Farmers Seek New Frontiers in Roraima
Small farmers in the Amazon are migrating to Roraima, driven by rising land prices and challenges in established agricultural regions. Onésio Nascimento, among others, moved from Mato Grosso to Roraima, seeking affordable land. The influx of migrants has led to increased deforestation, with significant environmental impacts. The article highlights the struggles of these farmers, the role of informal land brokers, and the influence of government policies on land use and environmental enforcement. The potential paving of BR-319 could further escalate land prices and deforestation rates.
‘My dream is to buy a piece of land’: the ‘outsiders’ farming at the Amazon’s last frontiers
The article explores the lives of 'outsiders' farming in the last frontiers of the Amazon, particularly in south Roraima. It highlights the challenges faced by small farmers like Onésio Nascimento, who moved to the region due to rising land prices and mechanized agriculture in other parts of the Amazon. The article discusses the impact of infrastructure projects, illegal logging, and land-grabbing on deforestation and Indigenous lands. It also touches on the political dynamics affecting land ownership and environmental enforcement under the Lula administration compared to the previous Bolsonaro government.
Squeezed-out Amazon smallholders seek new frontiers in Brazil’s Roraima state
Onésio Nascimento, a smallholder farmer, moved to southern Roraima during the pandemic, attracted by cheaper land. He and other migrants face challenges such as deforestation, lack of formal land titles, and environmental regulations. The region has seen increased deforestation and land invasions, driven by infrastructure projects and rising land prices. The Lula administration's stricter environmental policies have caused concern among settlers. Despite hardships, Nascimento hopes to settle in Roraima, reflecting the ongoing cycle of displacement and environmental impact in the Amazon.
Rivers and Crops Show Impact of Drought in Brazilian Amazon
The Brazilian Amazon is experiencing its worst drought on record, severely impacting local agriculture, businesses, and communities. Farmers like Justino Lira have seen their crops decimated, while businesses face increased operational costs due to disrupted supply chains. Experts attribute the drought to a combination of El Niño and climate change, predicting more frequent extreme weather events. The state of Amazonas has declared an emergency, with significant economic implications for its industrial sector. The Brazilian government has announced measures to mitigate the drought's effects, but concerns about future climate impacts remain high.
Sieged by mining and megaprojects, the Munduruku push for land rights in the Amazon
The Munduruku people of the Sawré Muybu Indigenous Territory in Brazil's Pará state are fighting for official land rights amidst threats from illegal loggers, miners, and infrastructure megaprojects. Despite years of self-demarcation efforts, the Brazilian government has not granted official protection. The new administration under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has restarted Indigenous land demarcations, raising hopes among the Munduruku. Indigenous leader Alessandra Korap Munduruku, a Goldman Environmental Prize winner, has been instrumental in resisting mining companies like Anglo American. The territory is still under analysis by the Ministry of Justice, with federal prosecutors recommending the demarcation process proceed. The region is of sacred importance to the Munduruku, and the lack of official demarcation has led to significant environmental and cultural threats, including illegal mining and deforestation. The planned Ferrogrão railway and other infrastructure projects pose additional risks. High levels of mercury contamination from illegal gold mining have been found in residents, highlighting the urgent need for the demarcation and protection of Sawré Muybu.
Parched Rivers, Withered Crops Show Impact of Amazon Drought
The severe drought in the Amazon has devastated crops, leaving farmers like Justino Lira struggling to survive. Lira's green beans, cabbage, corn, cassava, and okra have been nearly wiped out, drastically reducing his income from selling produce in Manacapuru. This environmental crisis highlights the vulnerability of local agriculture to extreme weather conditions.
Parched Rivers, Withered Crops Show Dire Impact of Amazon Drought
The Amazon region is experiencing its worst drought in history, severely impacting agriculture, local businesses, and large industrial operations. The drought, exacerbated by climate change and the El Niño phenomenon, has led to significant economic and social challenges, including reduced crop yields, increased operational costs, and disrupted transportation. Local and state governments are implementing measures to mitigate the effects, but there is widespread concern about the future as climate projections indicate more frequent and severe droughts.
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