By: Blanca Lucía Echeverry, national coordinator of IRI-Colombia.
The Amazon, one of the richest and most diverse ecosystems on the planet, is at a critical point. Accelerating deforestation, agricultural expansion, illegal mining, and climate change are devastating the region, putting at risk not only its unique biodiversity, but also the survival of the indigenous peoples and local communities that depend on it.
Deforestation in the Amazon is not only an environmental issue; It is a humanitarian and cultural crisis that threatens the very existence of indigenous peoples, who have been the ancestral guardians of these sacred forests.
In this context, the celebration of COP16 on biodiversity in Cali, from October 21 to November 1, represents a historic opportunity for religious leaders, faith communities and social actors to join our voices in defense of this invaluable natural treasure.
The United Nations Conference on Biodiversity is not just a high-level diplomatic event; It is a call to action for all those committed to social justice and environmental protection. As religious and social leaders working in the Amazon, we have a moral responsibility to ensure that the decisions made at this summit reflect a real and effective commitment to preserving biodiversity, reducing deforestation, and the well-being of the communities that inhabit this region.
It is our obligation to remind the world that the Amazon is not just an economic resource; It is a living being, a sacred home for millions of species, and a source of life for all humanity. The destruction of these ancient forests not only releases thousands of tons of carbon into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change, but also dispossesses indigenous peoples of their territories, their cultures and their ways of life.
From the Interreligious Initiative for Tropical Forests (IRI-Colombia), we have witnessed first-hand how faith can mobilize communities to protect their territories and preserve their ancestral traditions. Religious leaders, with their ability to influence consciences and bring about behavioural change, have a crucial role to play in building a culture of respect and reverence for nature. At COP16, we must advocate for policies that recognize and strengthen the role of local communities and indigenous peoples in conserving biodiversity and fighting deforestation. It is vital that their traditional knowledge is respected and that their right to participate fully in decision-making affecting their territories is guaranteed. Deforestation is not just a loss of trees; it is a loss of cultures, histories and spiritualities that have endured for millennia.
In addition, COP16 should be a space for reflection and joint action between governments, international organizations, civil society and religious leaders. We cannot allow short-term economic interests to continue to be the main drivers of political decisions. We must demand that public policies based on science, justice and ethics be implemented, which protect the Amazon, stop deforestation and promote truly sustainable development. Faith and science are not incompatible; Both can and must work together to ensure a future in which biodiversity and human dignity are respected and valued.
The challenges we face are enormous, but we must not lose hope. COP16 in Cali offers us a unique platform to amplify our voices and consolidate strategic alliances that can have a lasting impact on the defense of the Amazon. Now is the time to act with determination and courage, to unite as a global community around the protection of this lung of the world. As religious and social leaders, we have an obligation to guide our communities in this struggle, reminding them that defending the Amazon and fighting deforestation is ultimately a defense of life itself and the fundamental rights of indigenous peoples.
May COP16 be a beacon of hope and a turning point in our fight for a planet where forest loss is controlled so that biodiversity flourishes and future generations can live in harmony with nature. We cannot fail in this sacred mission. The Amazon calls us; It is our duty to respond with faith, commitment, and action.
Read the full Spanish edition of the IRIboletín.
