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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Rodrigo Estrada, Greenpeace USA, rodrigo.estrada@greenpeace.org

Hydropower Is New Threat At The Heart Of The Amazon

New 'Damning the Amazon' report describes how the proposed Sao Luiz do Tapajós megadam will not only result in rainforest destruction and large greenhouse gas emissions, but it will also violate human rights and displace indigenous communities.

Greenpeace released its Damning the Amazon report today, focusing on the environmental and social consequences of the Sao Luiz do Tapajos complex that will be the biggest dam built in Brazil since the controversial Belo Monte.

Damning the Amazon describes how the proposed Sao Luiz do Tapajos megadam will not only result in rainforest destruction and large greenhouse gas emissions, but it will also violate human rights and displace indigenous communities.

The report comes shortly after recent high level official testimonies revealed that the construction of the Belo Monte project was furthered through corrupt kickback schemes. Several companies expressing interest in bidding for Sao Luiz do Tapajos are also central to the ongoing historic corruption scandal in Brazil. The report also names the global companies that would make the new project possible, including General Electric (GE) and Siemens.

Daniel Brindis, Senior Forests Campaigner at Greenpeace USA, said:

"The Sao Luiz do Tapajos megadam would bring destruction to the very heart of the Amazon, and wreak havoc on the livelihoods of the indigenous communities in the region. It is appalling that a household name like GE would be willing to enable and profit from such a controversial project, which would violate human rights and devastate important forests."

Disastrous megadams in the Amazon like Sao Luiz do Tapajos or Belo Monte aren't just a project of the Brazilian government, they are are built by an international gang of companies, including suppliers, financiers, and insurers, who look the other way on social and environmental impacts, for the sake of profit. This is why the global community must take responsibility, ally ourselves with communities impacted by the project - like the indigenous Munduruku - and raise our voices to prevent this disaster."

Greenpeace is a global, independent campaigning organization that uses peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future.

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