Skip navigation.

Samba in the Forest: two steps backward, one step forward.

A young boy stands amongst the 772 white crosses, each representing murdered rural workers and activists at a ceremony to mark the murder of Sister Dorothy one year ago. Enlarge Image

Sister Dorothy: unfinished business

One year since the violent death of Sister Dorothy at the hands of hired gunmen in the Amazon, little has changed for the rural workers and activists trying to protect the rainforest from ranchers, landgrabbers and loggers.

Greenpeace activists deliver a cargo of Amazon illegal timber to the Federal Police in Sao Paulo, Brazil, completing a 5-month secret operation to expose illegal logging in the Amazon. Earlier this year activists purchased 29 cubic metres of illegal timber in the State of Rondunia and followed it to Sao Paulo to show how lack of government control means that illegal timber is sold as legal in the marketplace. Enlarge Image

Greenpeace sting exposes pirate loggers

How do you get a shipment of illegal logs out of the Amazon and to market in São Paolo? A team of Greenpeace activists risked their lives to go undercover to show -- for the first time -- exactly how it's done.

Greenpeace activists dump over a tonne of plywood secured with large chains blocking the entrance to DEFRA, the UK Government's department responsible for the environment. Enlarge Image

Importing Forest Destruction

Everyone knows it's illegal to import pirated CDs and DVDs, with heavy penalties if you get caught, but what happens when you import stolen timber from the world's last ancient forests? Absolutely nothing.

The Arctic Sunrise in Prince William Sound. Enlarge Image

Selective prosecution of Greenpeace in the US foiled again

A judge in Alaska has overturned a jury verdict and acquitted Greenpeace of failing to register oil spill contingency plans. District Court Judge Kevin Miller declared the evidence did not support the guilty verdicts.

Comedians from the Brazilian TV show "Panic on TV" attempt to give the governor of Mato Grosso state, Blairo Maggi, the Golden Chainsaw award. Enlarge Image

'Soya King' wins Golden Chainsaw award

Blairo Maggi has won the Golden Chainsaw award for the Brazilian person who most contributed to Amazon destruction. Sadly, rather than accept the award from his celebrity presenters, the 'Soya King' slunk out through the back door of the school he was visiting, to the taunting shouts of hundreds of children.

Greenpeace discovers an illegal logging operation with at least 200km of roads serving the operation. Greenpeace activists paint the loggers barge with the message CRIME then uses it to blockade access to the sort yard. Enlarge Image

Brazilian police bust Amazon logging gang

The Brazilian Federal Police have dismantled a gang responsible for illegal logging in the State of Mato Grosso for 14 years. 89 arrest warrants were issued - including for corrupt Brazilian Environmental Agency (IBAMA) agents and loggers, who were responsible for the illegal logging of enough timber to fill 76,000 trucks.

Illegal deforestation for soy production, in the North of State of Mato Grosso. Enlarge Image

Amazon destruction: six football fields a minute

Amazon destruction has accelerated to record levels, according to figures released by the Brazilian government. The annual rate has reached 26,130 square km, the second highest ever - an area equivalent to about six football fields a minute are destroyed. Almost half of the deforestation occurred in the State of Mato Grosso, governed by the largest individual soy producer in the world, Blairo Maggi.

Great Bear Rainforest, Canada. Moss cover the rocks and fallen trees. Enlarge Image

Great Bear Rainforest: Saved

Take ten years of difficult, dangerous, and at times, heartbreaking work. Add thousands of activists from around the world -- some who sent emails, some who stood on the blockades, some who voted against destruction with their wallets.

Some who were beaten, some who were sued, some who were arrested. Today it added up to victory. Common sense has prevailed and one of the world's treasures, the Great Bear Rainforest, is saved from destruction.

Go to your national site

World websites

GREENPEACE EMAIL

Sign up for international email updates
SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Related news stories

Related Slideshows

Related campaigns