Youth activists defend Peruvian Amazon

The Amazon, the world's largest rainforest, covers more than half of all the rainforest on our planet. As such, it plays a crucial role in storing CO₂, producing oxygen and regulating the global climate. This is why the forest is also called 'the lungs of the earth'. In addition, the Amazon is a vital treasure trove of biodiversity, with millions of plant and animal species, and home to several indigenous communities. In Peru, some 5% of the population lives in the rainforest, where they have lived in harmony with nature for generations and have a deep connection to the land.

The Amazon is indispensable for people and the planet. But due to forest fires and human activities such as illegal logging, mining and large-scale agriculture, the rainforest is disappearing at an alarming rate. In addition, the oil industry and gold mines are causing serious pollution of the rivers, including the lifeline of the area: the Amazon River. This devastation is a threat to nature, the climate and the people who live there.

Climate

Deforestation in the Amazon has a huge impact on the global climate. Trees absorb CO₂, but when they are felled and burned, this CO₂ is released into the atmosphere. Deforestation causes about 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions every year, comparable to the combined emissions of cars, planes and ships. This contributes to accelerated global warming, rising sea levels and increasingly frequent natural disasters.

Nature

The disappearance of large numbers of trees destroys the habitat of the Amazon's unique animal species, preventing many of them from surviving. This not only threatens the survival of these species, but also disrupts the rainforest ecosystem. The consequences extend beyond the Amazon and impact the entire planet.

Man

The impact of deforestation and pollution is also directly felt by communities living in the Amazon. Forest destruction damages their health, restricts access to clean water, food and housing, and threatens their cultural identity. For them, the disappearance of the rainforest means the loss of a deep spiritual connection with 'Pachamama', Mother Earth.

The devastation of the Amazon constitutes a triple crisis: on climate, biodiversity and human rights. Yet young people are not sitting back and taking control of their own future. MANTHOC is a youth organisation in Peru working for children and young people from vulnerable communities. They help them exercise their rights, improve their living conditions and build a better future. In the Amazon, youth from MANTHOC play an important role in climate activism, aiming to protect the rainforest and the rest of the planet.

With the YOUCA Action Day 2025, in partnership with Amnesty International and MANTHOC, we are supporting these young activists by helping them develop their leadership skills and create initiatives to promote human rights, climate justice and conservation. The project is based on four pillars: LEARN, SHARE, ACT and CONNECT.

LEARN (Learning): Young Amazonian leaders receive training and tools to develop knowledge, skills and self-confidence. This enables them to safely and effectively advocate for human rights and climate justice.

SHARE (Sharing): The trained young people share their knowledge with others by organising educational sessions in schools. In this way, they create awareness among young people about human rights and climate change.

ACT (Act): The young people are also guided to set up actions and campaigns to protect the rainforest. They work together to push for change in their communities and local governments.

CONNECT (Connect): Finally, MANTHOC youth seek to connect with allies, including other youth groups, environmental organisations and local communities. Through these collaborations, they strengthen their message and increase their impact.

With this year's YOUCA Action Day, we are standing up for youth rights and the protection of the Amazon! Together with Amnesty International and MANTHOC, we support and empower young people in Peru to take action to stop the destruction of their homes and protect the future of our planet.