This Artist Illuminated the Amazon With the Faces of People Most Impacted by Deforestation

Unless we do something fast, the Amazon rainforest will disappear right before our eyes. In the past 20 years alone, an area the size of two Germanys has been clear cut from this ancient tropical rainforest and this is hardly the full extent of the damage. What is driving such destruction? You don’t have to look any further than your plate.

On a global basis, deforestation is largely caused by agriculture. In the Brazilian region of the Amazon, around 80 percent of deforestation is caused by cattle ranching. Soybean production for livestock feed also caused a tremendous amount of damage in the Amazon, but thanks to a governmental soy moratorium, deforestation attributed to soy has dropped. But despite efforts, this vital rainforest continues to face mass deforestation at human hands.

One photographer, Philippe Echaroux is hoping to turn this around. Using the Brazilian rainforest as a canvas, he wants to bring attention to this crisis with a dramatic call to action. Instead of putting his message on city walls and on subways, Echaroux has created Street Art 2.0 and is putting his message directly on the Amazon with light projections of the faces of the Surui people.

The project is to highlight the plight of the Surui tribe, a tribe that is living under constant threat of deforestation and illegal logging. 

According to Echaroux, “[the Surui] are victims of massive deforestation and gold washers who did not hesitate to violate the Indian’s territory to seize deposits of precious stone” 

 Deforestation has deeply impacted this tribe’s way of life.“When you cut a tree, it’s like putting down a man,” Echaroux said to describe the severity of this issue.

Indian chief Almir Surui Narayamoga asked for his people’s situation to be highlighted because they are silently losing their hold over this vital land.

Street Art 2.0 is said to be the first in a series of similar projections worldwide with environmental messages.

We love how this artist is bringing attention to deforestation in an eco-friendly way. And you can help protect the Amazon and other vital forests by simply choosing to eat more plant-based foods. By leaving meat and dairy off the menu, you can drastically cut your carbon footprint, save water, and help ensure that vital crop resources are fed to people, rather than livestock. To learn more about how you can help protect rainforests with your food choices, join One Green Planet’s #EatForThePlanet campaign.

To help Support Philippe Echaroux’s work, please share this post with your friends and family to help bring attention to this important issue.

All image source: Philippe Echaroux