Chico Mendes was a Brazilian rubber planter. He saw the way the rubber plantations were creating an unsustainable environment, they were destroying the rainforest and its wildlife, so he set about doing something about it. He set about organising workers and opposing the big companies and ranchers. He unionised the workers and opposed the development of the plantations in favour of a more diverse environment and working practice.
All the big ranchers were interested in was profit. They threatened him and then they murdered him.
At first I thought I was fighting to save rubber trees, then I thought I was fighting to save the Amazon rain forest. Now I realize I am fighting for humanity.
I think we all are! If we lose nature we lose life.
I became an ecologist long before I had ever heard the word.
Ecologists are people who care about the planet, its life and people!
That first quote is quite weighty, isn’t it… Right in your face.
It certainly is Cheryl. They murdered him for standing up to them. It is great to do blogs about the selfless people who stand up for the planet. Too many martyrs.
Yes. You know I’ve never heard of him…
He ought to be better known. There was a good book about him and his stand for the rainforest!