WE ARE STILL HERE

The rapid pace of global change often makes me wonder: What thoughts and emotions arise within individuals who find their culture, language, history, and livelihoods under threat? What does it truly mean to defend one's way of life when faced with such overwhelming pressures? I find myself even more concerned when I consider the implications for future generations. Will they have the freedom to express themselves openly? Will they have access to vital natural resources, such as forests and clean water, that are essential for their well-being and survival? The similarities between the lives of these inspiring individuals and marginalized communities in our contemporary society are striking. The freedoms of all of us are in jeopardy.

I captured these images in the Brazilian Amazon  between 2019 and 2022, a region that has experienced significant environmental and social challenges in recent years. The photographs serve as a visual testament to the complex realities faced by communities whose lives are deeply intertwined with the Amazon rainforest, and make me contemplate the profound impact of global change on both the human and natural worlds and consider our collective responsibility to protect vulnerable cultures and ecosystems.