The Amazon Rainforest

World Design was privileged to have been selected to represent the Craft sector for The Amazon Rainforest Back to Origins program in the state of Acre, Brazil. The COP 30 is currently taking place in Brazil and the multi sectoral trip aimed to highlight the importance of the sustainability of the Amazon ahead of the conference. Arriving in the Amazon, the first impression is one of being somewhere where life pulses loudly, nature is the force and it is strong. 

We met with 15 craft projects, the majority of whom are using sustainable materials that the forrest offers in abundance. We were shown how the rubber tree offers a supply of one of the most versatile materials. Tapping the trees, a little bucket of rubber sap can be collected in a day. The reforestation programs aim to rehabilitate areas lost cattle farming. On our travels I was shocked to witness huge areas of deforestation with just a few white cows on them.

Other materials used in the making of craft are the plethora of seeds, wood and plant fibres. We have an amazing selection of bio jewellery made from Acai, Tucuma, Jarina, Buriti and Paxiuba seeds that we will be exhibiting at our Pop Up in December. Aside from craft projects, we also were introduced to an incredible array of fruits (some of which I had never heard of!), nuts, oils and  Robusta coffee. 

The indigenous peoples of the Amazon are facing huge challenges as defenders of the largest terrestrial eco system on our planet. We visited the Chico Mendes reserve and saw the activists house where he was shot dead in 1988 by cattle farmers after decades of fighting to protect the ecological integrity of the Amazon.

If anyone is interested in visiting the indigenous tribes of the Amazon, please do get in touch as we have committed to helping the Shanenawa (meaning people of the blue bird) with their program to welcome visitors.