By Angelo Lopez
Activists working to defend the environment face threats and even murder in the Philippines, Latin America, and elsewhere. The mining, agricultural, and logging industries harass environmental activists with the use of governmental or paramilitary forces so that they can exploit the land’s plentiful natural resources.
Many of these activists are indigenous people who are attempting to keep mining, oil, logging, and hydroelectric companies from exploiting their land and territory.
After the election of far-right President Jan Bolbonaro in Brazil, major agricultural interests have attacked those who defend the Amazon rainforest.
The number of killed activists has risen dramatically in Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia.
When compared to other Asian countries, the Philippines is still the most perilous for eco-activists.
References:
https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/environmental-activists-land-defenders-killed/
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/report-says-200-environmental-activists-killed-globally-in-2021
https://www.npr.org/2019/08/03/747833494/the-dangers-of-environmental-activism-in-the-philippines
https://www.ucanews.com/news/philippines-condemned-over-environmentalist-slayings/94134