1
00:00:02,447 --> 00:00:05,120
I'm on my final stretch of my journey
down the Amazon
2
00:00:05,167 --> 00:00:10,400
where the destruction of the rainforest
is taking place on a massive scale.
3
00:00:10,447 --> 00:00:16,602
This is the front line in the conflict
over the Amazon's resources.
4
00:00:17,847 --> 00:00:22,398
I ride out with the cowboys driving
Brazil's booming cattle industry.
5
00:00:22,447 --> 00:00:25,405
I go on a raid with
the environmental police
6
00:00:25,447 --> 00:00:27,517
as they try to combat illegal logging.
7
00:00:27,567 --> 00:00:29,922
Seems that their paperwork's not in order.
8
00:00:29,967 --> 00:00:34,438
I meet the modern-day slaves,
hidden in the shadows.
9
00:00:34,487 --> 00:00:35,806
No-one deserves this.
10
00:00:35,847 --> 00:00:42,480
I hear from the Kayapo Indians, fiercely
defending their territory from invasion.
11
00:00:42,527 --> 00:00:46,964
This is war paint, because,
for the people here, it's a proper battle.
12
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I've been travelling for seven months.
13
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This now is the final stage
of what's become quite an epicjourney.
14
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I can't quite believe that the end
is almost in sight.
15
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All the way through Brazil so far,
I've been in Amazonas State,
16
00:01:19,647 --> 00:01:24,038
living with Coboclos, Ribeirinhos,
loggers, fishermen, farmers.
17
00:01:24,087 --> 00:01:26,601
But now, it's completely different.
18
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What started as a tiny trickle
in the high Andes
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has become this vast body of water.
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The main river has been joined
by the Madeira and the Negro,
21
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two of the longest rivers in the world.
22
00:01:41,167 --> 00:01:44,523
But these are mere tributaries
of the mighty Amazon.
23
00:01:49,447 --> 00:01:52,280
Here, as I enter Para State
at the end of the river,
24
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the forces of global commerce are now
starting to dominate the landscape.
25
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As the river now is just getting
bigger and bigger,
26
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the stories are getting
bigger and bigger, too.
27
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In this part of the Amazon,
28
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vast swathes of rainforest have been
destroyed to make way for agriculture.
29
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Brazil has now become the world's
largest exporter
30
00:02:20,167 --> 00:02:22,123
of beef and soya.
31
00:02:23,447 --> 00:02:27,076
But Brazil's emergence
as a global agricultural powerhouse
32
00:02:27,127 --> 00:02:30,005
comes at a huge cost to the environment.
33
00:02:30,047 --> 00:02:34,996
And this is the dilemma
at the heart of the Amazon.
34
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It's home to a quarter of the world's
known species
35
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and provides a fifth
of the Earth's oxygen.
36
00:02:42,007 --> 00:02:47,479
But it's also rich in land, gold, oil
and timber.
37
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At this point, I'm heading inland,
away from the river,
38
00:02:52,487 --> 00:02:55,365
to see the damage to the forest,
firsthand.
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00:02:55,407 --> 00:02:56,999
Oorgh!
40
00:02:57,047 --> 00:03:00,244
Obrigado. OK. Adios!
41
00:03:06,007 --> 00:03:09,204
I'm driving into the Amazon's
new agricultural frontier
42
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where cattle ranching has taken over
the jungle.
43
00:03:14,887 --> 00:03:19,836
Not so long ago,
all of this was pristine forest.
44
00:03:20,927 --> 00:03:22,997
But, now that all the logs have gone,
45
00:03:23,047 --> 00:03:26,756
one of the biggest uses of
this sort of land is for cattle ranching.
46
00:03:26,807 --> 00:03:31,642
And I'm now right in the middle
of cow country.
47
00:03:33,407 --> 00:03:35,284
I've come south of the Amazon River,
48
00:03:35,327 --> 00:03:39,002
to the heart of Para State,
to a region called Altamira,
49
00:03:39,047 --> 00:03:41,515
where the beef business is booming.
50
00:03:45,407 --> 00:03:47,967
I'm travelling on
the Transamazônica Highway,
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00:03:48,007 --> 00:03:50,475
on my way to a cattle ranch,
where I'll be spending a few days,
52
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experiencing life out on the range.
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00:03:55,887 --> 00:03:56,876
Bruce.
54
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Wow! What a place!
55
00:04:00,287 --> 00:04:01,606
Hey!
56
00:04:04,487 --> 00:04:06,637
(SPEAKS PORTUGUESE)
57
00:04:06,687 --> 00:04:08,279
(LAUGHS)
58
00:04:08,327 --> 00:04:10,238
You're not gonna let me get too close.
59
00:04:10,287 --> 00:04:15,919
Valdo is the head cowboy on the farm and
he takes me to meet the rest of the gang.
60
00:04:19,647 --> 00:04:21,365
Wow.
61
00:04:27,887 --> 00:04:28,922
OK.
62
00:04:31,967 --> 00:04:33,525
Nice to meet you.
63
00:04:37,687 --> 00:04:39,325
So, tomorrow...
64
00:04:39,367 --> 00:04:40,800
amanha...
65
00:04:40,847 --> 00:04:42,917
I'll be helping you guys on the farm?
66
00:04:45,607 --> 00:04:48,838
You might have to give me some lessons.
I'm not very good at all this stuff.
67
00:05:04,207 --> 00:05:07,961
It's my first morning on the ranch
and my first task is to mount up.
68
00:05:10,367 --> 00:05:13,040
They've found me a good horse.
This one's pretty placid, I can tell.
69
00:05:13,087 --> 00:05:17,239
Not a slight quiver
from a novice on its back.
70
00:05:22,167 --> 00:05:26,922
This is a fattening farm.
It has roughly 4,000 head of cattle,
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00:05:26,967 --> 00:05:29,037
covering roughly 70,000 hectares.
72
00:05:29,087 --> 00:05:32,682
But it's a minnow
compared to others in the region.
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00:05:36,687 --> 00:05:38,086
(SHOUTING)
74
00:05:46,447 --> 00:05:50,235
It takes a full day's riding across
this vast farm before we round up
75
00:05:50,287 --> 00:05:52,960
the last of the cattle.
76
00:05:53,007 --> 00:05:56,920
Two medium-sized herds
that we've had to round up
77
00:05:56,967 --> 00:06:01,961
and drag through hedges and across streams
and finally got them into this pen.
78
00:06:02,007 --> 00:06:04,680
They're going to be fed up a little bit
before they're sent for export.
79
00:06:04,727 --> 00:06:07,719
(CATTLE LOWING)
80
00:06:11,047 --> 00:06:15,040
My thighs are aching this morning,
after a long day on horseback,
81
00:06:15,087 --> 00:06:18,397
but now, I'm facing a whole new challenge.
82
00:06:20,167 --> 00:06:24,285
Today it's the turn of the calves,
only it's gonna be a little bit different,
83
00:06:24,327 --> 00:06:29,765
because these guys...
are gonna have that as well.
84
00:06:30,887 --> 00:06:35,722
This morning, the farm manager, Big Tony,
is here to help with the branding.
85
00:06:35,767 --> 00:06:37,519
What's the fate of these young ones now?
86
00:06:53,367 --> 00:06:58,395
My first job is to catch the calves, which
may sound easy as they look quite small,
87
00:06:58,447 --> 00:07:00,802
but they're very strong and pretty quick.
88
00:07:20,407 --> 00:07:24,286
Each calf is branded so the cowboys know
exactly when it was born.
89
00:07:28,487 --> 00:07:31,479
These are tough zebu cattle,
originally bred in Africa
90
00:07:31,527 --> 00:07:34,405
and now thriving on the new grasslands
of the Amazon.
91
00:07:36,207 --> 00:07:38,516
(CALF BELLOWS)
92
00:07:41,567 --> 00:07:44,445
Grappling with the calves
is a muddy business
93
00:07:44,487 --> 00:07:47,285
and makes me realise just how hard
these guys work.
94
00:07:47,327 --> 00:07:53,357
I'm absolutely knackered
with all this heat. It's overpowering.
95
00:07:55,167 --> 00:08:01,242
This dude, about to lasso these
huge calves - how cool is he?
96
00:08:14,887 --> 00:08:17,606
When the rope's handed to me,
all I manage to catch with the lasso
97
00:08:17,647 --> 00:08:20,605
is one of the cowboys, Chico.
98
00:08:21,687 --> 00:08:24,599
That's who I was trying to get.
What are you talking about?!
99
00:08:39,727 --> 00:08:42,366
(LAUGHS)
100
00:08:43,967 --> 00:08:46,003
My word. I'm bushwhacked.
101
00:08:51,807 --> 00:08:55,117
Obrigado, Tony. Obrigado.
102
00:08:55,167 --> 00:08:57,806
After a good morning's work,
103
00:08:57,847 --> 00:09:00,998
what could be better than a load of meat?
104
00:09:04,207 --> 00:09:07,119
I have to say that I'm really
enjoying my time on the ranch.
105
00:09:07,167 --> 00:09:10,398
I know that this beef comes
at a cost to the environment,
106
00:09:10,447 --> 00:09:13,917
but it's wonderful to meet such
friendly and hospitable people.
107
00:09:22,287 --> 00:09:25,165
(WHOOPING)
108
00:09:29,567 --> 00:09:32,957
The sorting of the cattle
is a never-ending task.
109
00:09:34,487 --> 00:09:39,845
Just had a buyer turn up today
who wants just white cattle.
110
00:09:39,887 --> 00:09:43,721
So what we're gonna do
is separate them here in the corral
111
00:09:43,767 --> 00:09:47,840
and then weigh them and he's then gonna
take them away on his truck for export.
112
00:09:50,527 --> 00:09:54,759
Minero is a typical entrepreneur
in the region. He's a cattle dealer,
113
00:09:54,807 --> 00:09:59,244
a middleman, buying from Tony's farm
to sell to the big exporters.
114
00:09:59,287 --> 00:10:02,484
Cattle is big in Brazil.
How is it for you?
115
00:10:18,407 --> 00:10:20,523
And what do you say to those people
116
00:10:20,567 --> 00:10:24,082
that accuse the ranchers
of destroying the forest?
117
00:10:24,127 --> 00:10:26,846
What is your answer to those people?
118
00:10:38,327 --> 00:10:42,002
We've weighed them and
we've sorted them. All that remains
119
00:10:42,047 --> 00:10:45,403
is for the ones that we want
to be branded
120
00:10:45,447 --> 00:10:48,996
and then put on the truck
for taking away.
121
00:11:07,487 --> 00:11:10,320
While we're waiting
for the next truck to appear,
122
00:11:10,367 --> 00:11:13,677
some of the younger cowboys
rope up a bull for practice
123
00:11:13,727 --> 00:11:16,195
as the rodeo season is about to start.
124
00:11:20,607 --> 00:11:25,920
Vanderley is a budding rodeo star
and makes it look deceptively easy.
125
00:11:48,567 --> 00:11:51,798
They just saddled up
a rodeo show for themselves
126
00:11:51,847 --> 00:11:56,363
and then some bright spark looked at me
and said, ''Oi, do you want to have a go?''
127
00:12:02,367 --> 00:12:04,164
Hand in here.
128
00:12:06,127 --> 00:12:07,640
OK, and then?
129
00:12:08,167 --> 00:12:09,156
Squeeze here?
130
00:12:10,687 --> 00:12:12,006
And squeeze here.
131
00:12:12,047 --> 00:12:14,880
And then just... (LAUGHS)
132
00:12:14,927 --> 00:12:17,964
Well, just...
Stupid question, really, isn't it?
133
00:12:18,007 --> 00:12:20,396
What are you supposed to do?
Grip, hold on and grip!
134
00:12:20,447 --> 00:12:22,244
Well, there you go.
135
00:12:22,287 --> 00:12:23,959
OK, OK.
136
00:12:24,007 --> 00:12:25,486
Right, here?
137
00:12:33,327 --> 00:12:34,885
And when I fall off, which I will...
138
00:12:37,167 --> 00:12:39,044
Just let go. And fall, then...
139
00:12:53,527 --> 00:12:56,200
Ah, ah, ow!
140
00:12:56,247 --> 00:12:57,441
That hurt!
141
00:12:57,487 --> 00:12:59,079
(LAUGHS)
142
00:13:00,167 --> 00:13:01,156
Argh!
143
00:13:03,007 --> 00:13:04,360
That properly hurt.
144
00:13:08,327 --> 00:13:11,956
That was about two seconds
on the rodeo. Whoo!
145
00:13:16,487 --> 00:13:18,796
That hurt! Ow!
My last day of being a cowboy
146
00:13:18,847 --> 00:13:21,805
and I think...
Good way to leave it, really.
147
00:13:21,847 --> 00:13:24,407
Leave it to the big boys,
the real cowboys.
148
00:13:29,967 --> 00:13:33,039
The trucks are eventually loaded
and we all head off
149
00:13:33,087 --> 00:13:35,965
to the cattle port of Victoria
on the Xingu River.
150
00:13:37,047 --> 00:13:39,515
From here, the cows will be shipped
151
00:13:39,567 --> 00:13:43,719
all the way to the end of the Amazon
and out to sea.
152
00:13:45,847 --> 00:13:50,637
As a meat-eater, you always know that
the transporting of animals goes on,
153
00:13:50,687 --> 00:13:52,962
but when you're here and you see it,
154
00:13:53,007 --> 00:13:55,680
it really does make you reevaluate.
155
00:13:58,687 --> 00:14:01,997
Brazil has over 200 million head of cattle
156
00:14:02,047 --> 00:14:06,165
and last year sold more than
$4 billion worth of beef.
157
00:14:07,247 --> 00:14:09,966
As economies grow and lifestyles improve,
158
00:14:10,007 --> 00:14:13,636
more people around the world
want to eat meat.
159
00:14:13,687 --> 00:14:16,679
The Amazon can produce it
cheaper than anywhere else,
160
00:14:16,727 --> 00:14:21,847
but the forest is rapidly disappearing
to satisfy this growing demand.
161
00:14:25,687 --> 00:14:29,157
With such vast opportunities
for exploitation,
162
00:14:29,207 --> 00:14:33,758
Para State has become a magnet for some
of the wealthiest landowners in the world
163
00:14:33,807 --> 00:14:38,323
who are making massive profits
from the destruction of the forest.
164
00:14:39,407 --> 00:14:42,843
At the forefront of this assault
are the illegal loggers.
165
00:14:42,887 --> 00:14:46,084
They're backed by powerful elites
who take advantage of corruption
166
00:14:46,127 --> 00:14:50,962
and the lack of authority to sell
their timber to legitimate markets.
167
00:14:53,687 --> 00:14:58,363
I'm on my way to the town of Altamira
to meet the Goverment agency
168
00:14:58,407 --> 00:15:00,637
responsible for policing the forest.
169
00:15:02,767 --> 00:15:04,837
I'm at the IBAMA offices
170
00:15:04,887 --> 00:15:08,766
and today we're gonna go on a raid.
171
00:15:08,807 --> 00:15:10,399
Not sure what, exactly.
172
00:15:10,447 --> 00:15:13,803
It's kept quiet to the last minute.
I hear it might be a sawmill.
173
00:15:13,847 --> 00:15:15,838
But just arriving in the offices,
174
00:15:15,887 --> 00:15:19,402
one of the first things I see
is lots of confiscated wood.
175
00:15:22,207 --> 00:15:25,597
I'm with Roberto Scarpari,
head of the local IBAMA team.
176
00:15:27,807 --> 00:15:32,164
They've got a tip-off that there's
a sawmill some way ahead of us here
177
00:15:32,207 --> 00:15:34,198
dealing in illegal logs.
178
00:15:40,087 --> 00:15:43,443
It looks like the sawmill operators
have been told we're coming.
179
00:15:43,487 --> 00:15:44,556
The place is deserted.
180
00:15:47,727 --> 00:15:49,445
So what are you looking for here?
181
00:16:14,647 --> 00:16:18,117
Suddenly, one of the officers
starts shouting from the gate.
182
00:16:19,207 --> 00:16:23,837
Two lorries have arrived at the sawmill,
loaded with freshly-cut timber.
183
00:16:58,287 --> 00:17:01,563
This is a bust, you know. It seems
their paperwork's not in order...
184
00:17:01,607 --> 00:17:03,598
from their perspective, at the moment.
185
00:17:03,647 --> 00:17:08,641
Just as the IBAMA officials are busy
dealing with the first two trucks,
186
00:17:08,687 --> 00:17:10,757
another one appears with yet more logs.
187
00:17:13,127 --> 00:17:18,724
These two are now three trucks,
full of allegedly illegal wood,
188
00:17:18,767 --> 00:17:21,964
so the guys are going through the motions
now of checking out the paperwork
189
00:17:22,007 --> 00:17:23,725
and it doesn't look good for the drivers.
190
00:17:33,327 --> 00:17:36,922
BRUCE: With all of these discrepancies
with the paperwork, who is to blame?
191
00:17:36,967 --> 00:17:40,642
Is it the driver,
or the person that sent them?
192
00:17:50,407 --> 00:17:54,195
Gentlemen, you've just been
stopped by IBAMA.
193
00:17:54,247 --> 00:17:57,000
Tell me, from your perspective,
what is going on here?
194
00:18:06,847 --> 00:18:09,566
You guys drive logs for a living.
195
00:18:09,607 --> 00:18:14,522
In your opinion, how much of the wood
that is being taken is illegal?
196
00:18:26,007 --> 00:18:27,725
It'll take the IBAMA team weeks
197
00:18:27,767 --> 00:18:31,203
of painstaking paperwork
to mount a prosecution.
198
00:18:31,247 --> 00:18:34,637
In the meantime, all the trucks
and the timber will be impounded
199
00:18:34,687 --> 00:18:37,121
and the team go back
to shut down the sawmill
200
00:18:37,167 --> 00:18:39,556
until the investigation is complete.
201
00:18:48,327 --> 00:18:51,603
The next morning, we head off
on another IBAMA operation,
202
00:18:51,647 --> 00:18:54,684
this time from the air.
It's only from up here
203
00:18:54,727 --> 00:18:59,960
that you start to get a sense
of the sheer scale of deforestation.
204
00:19:02,287 --> 00:19:07,919
I've been lucky enough to go up in the air
quite a few times on my journey so far.
205
00:19:07,967 --> 00:19:12,245
I've always been rewarded
with an extraordinary view.
206
00:19:12,287 --> 00:19:15,006
But this is completely different.
207
00:19:15,047 --> 00:19:17,845
Never have I seen it looking like this.
208
00:19:17,887 --> 00:19:25,441
The Amazon now is nearly all grass
and it's quite shocking.
209
00:19:27,287 --> 00:19:32,361
In the last 40 years, almost 20%
of the Amazon has been cut down.
210
00:19:32,407 --> 00:19:37,720
Para State alone has lost an area of
forest eight times the size of Wales.
211
00:19:56,767 --> 00:20:00,885
We're flying over one of the last
remaining areas of intact forest
212
00:20:00,927 --> 00:20:03,043
in this aggressive logging frontier
213
00:20:03,087 --> 00:20:05,476
and already it's chequered with clearings.
214
00:20:21,847 --> 00:20:26,159
So, this is where they're bringing the
logs down, all the way to the river. Wow.
215
00:20:26,207 --> 00:20:29,085
That's properly going on there.
216
00:20:29,127 --> 00:20:31,163
And all of this is illegal, yeah?
217
00:20:47,727 --> 00:20:54,200
We've just flown over a number of areas
of completely illegal clear felling,
218
00:20:54,247 --> 00:21:01,039
where there's been big machinery used,
whole areas completely bereft of trees.
219
00:21:01,087 --> 00:21:05,638
All illegal activity and all seen
really clearly from the air.
220
00:21:12,047 --> 00:21:14,959
It's extraordinary, looking
out the window here.
221
00:21:15,007 --> 00:21:20,400
Straight lines, lots and lots
of straight lines,
222
00:21:20,447 --> 00:21:24,759
which just have no place
here in the Amazon.
223
00:21:38,847 --> 00:21:42,726
We've just come across this barge
with all these logs on it.
224
00:21:42,767 --> 00:21:44,246
We're gonna land
225
00:21:44,287 --> 00:21:48,519
and we're gonna, well...
we're gonna go and have a word.
226
00:21:59,207 --> 00:22:00,959
OK, we can get out now.
227
00:22:06,607 --> 00:22:09,326
He just said, ''Have you got any
documentation for this wood?''
228
00:22:09,367 --> 00:22:11,085
He goes, ''Nothing.''
229
00:22:24,007 --> 00:22:27,761
One thing I've noticed, just
in my short time here with IBAMA
230
00:22:27,807 --> 00:22:31,959
is that there's so much
bureaucracy, red tape,
231
00:22:32,007 --> 00:22:33,406
everyone's got an excuse,
232
00:22:33,447 --> 00:22:37,201
everyone's got some sort of paperwork
that covers something along the line
233
00:22:37,247 --> 00:22:39,761
and it just takes for ever
to get to the bottom of it.
234
00:22:39,807 --> 00:22:43,880
The most interesting thing
I've gleaned from today
235
00:22:43,927 --> 00:22:49,206
is that although this looks like a massive
operation, big boat, big barge, machinery,
236
00:22:49,247 --> 00:22:55,038
lots of logs, in actual fact, just finding
this is like a needle in the haystack
237
00:22:55,087 --> 00:22:58,796
compared to the vast areas of forest
that we've flown over, just to get here.
238
00:22:58,847 --> 00:23:01,566
If they hadn't been tipped off
to this particular area,
239
00:23:01,607 --> 00:23:03,245
we'd never have found this.
240
00:23:03,287 --> 00:23:06,518
There's places like this
all over Para State.
241
00:23:24,367 --> 00:23:29,566
This is one of the most expensive woods
in the world. It's so expensive.
242
00:23:29,607 --> 00:23:33,395
Completely illegal to chop down.
243
00:23:35,647 --> 00:23:39,196
You couldn't really get
a more red-handed capture,
244
00:23:39,247 --> 00:23:43,843
yet statistically, notoriously,
still this goes on
245
00:23:43,887 --> 00:23:46,276
and people aren't really
being brought to justice.
246
00:24:07,487 --> 00:24:11,196
Brazil's environmental laws may be
amongst the most progressive in the world,
247
00:24:11,247 --> 00:24:15,718
but even IBAMA admits that only 10% of
their fines are paid, due to corruption,
248
00:24:15,767 --> 00:24:18,600
red tape and lack of resources.
249
00:24:18,647 --> 00:24:23,721
Scarpari has only 15 officers
to cover an area the size of France.
250
00:24:42,527 --> 00:24:44,882
The logging, soya and cattle industries
251
00:24:44,927 --> 00:24:48,681
are part of a wider wave of development
sweeping through the Amazon.
252
00:24:48,727 --> 00:24:52,879
Vast potential wealth is stored
in the forest and in its rivers.
253
00:24:53,967 --> 00:24:57,596
Brazil's growing economy
is hungry for energy.
254
00:24:57,647 --> 00:25:02,277
Controversial plans are now in place
to harness the power of the Xingu River,
255
00:25:02,327 --> 00:25:04,966
by building a series of large dams.
256
00:25:06,047 --> 00:25:09,323
But the dams will flood
huge areas of forest
257
00:25:09,367 --> 00:25:12,723
and affect the lives
of thousands of people.
258
00:25:12,767 --> 00:25:14,485
(CHANTING)
259
00:25:17,967 --> 00:25:21,164
The Indians of the Xingu River
have declared war on the project.
260
00:25:21,207 --> 00:25:24,085
They say it threatens
their whole way of life
261
00:25:24,127 --> 00:25:27,642
and they've come to Altamira
to make their voices heard.
262
00:25:27,687 --> 00:25:31,839
It's been over two weeks since
I first arrived here in Altamira.
263
00:25:31,887 --> 00:25:34,640
Tony's ranch is somewhere over there,
264
00:25:34,687 --> 00:25:37,963
the IBAMA offices are
behind me just in town.
265
00:25:38,007 --> 00:25:42,046
But before I leave to go onto
the next phase of my journey,
266
00:25:42,087 --> 00:25:44,681
there's one thing
I simply could not miss.
267
00:25:44,727 --> 00:25:48,959
Today is the largest gathering
of indigenous peoples in Brazil
268
00:25:49,007 --> 00:25:53,125
for the last 20 years
and they're here on a protest.
269
00:25:56,367 --> 00:26:00,883
Several tribes have joined forces
for a week-long demonstration
270
00:26:00,927 --> 00:26:03,839
to take their fight to the authorities.
271
00:26:03,887 --> 00:26:08,403
Teams of heavily armed military police
have been drafted in to keep order.
272
00:26:08,447 --> 00:26:13,202
The atmosphere is highly charged, as
some of the Indians have a reputation
273
00:26:13,247 --> 00:26:16,205
for aggressively defending their rights.
274
00:26:19,207 --> 00:26:21,960
(MAN TALKS THROUGH PA SYSTEM)
275
00:26:26,367 --> 00:26:30,519
I've seen a number of tribal
meetings before in my time,
276
00:26:30,567 --> 00:26:33,798
but I've never seen
anything like this.
277
00:26:35,647 --> 00:26:39,196
The company behind the dam, Electronorte,
say it will supply clean energy
278
00:26:39,247 --> 00:26:44,560
to the industries across the south of
the country, but the people of the Xingu
279
00:26:44,607 --> 00:26:49,727
say they are paying the price
for Brazil's economic growth.
280
00:26:49,767 --> 00:26:53,601
There's an extraordinary
energy in the air here.
281
00:26:53,647 --> 00:26:56,639
People have been arriving by
the coach load for the last few days,
282
00:26:56,687 --> 00:26:58,757
from miles and miles around.
283
00:26:58,807 --> 00:27:03,676
There's over 1,000 indigenous peoples
here. The largest group is the Kayapo.
284
00:27:03,727 --> 00:27:08,755
But also other indigenous groups -
Caboclos, Ribeirinhos,
285
00:27:08,807 --> 00:27:12,561
all of whom are going to be affected
by this dam if it goes ahead.
286
00:27:12,607 --> 00:27:17,123
Tensions are running high and
already, blood has been spilt.
287
00:27:18,767 --> 00:27:22,680
On the first day of the protest,
before we arrived, an engineer
288
00:27:22,727 --> 00:27:25,924
from the electricity company
was attacked with a machete.
289
00:27:32,487 --> 00:27:37,436
The moment was caught by a local TVcrew
and shown across Brazil and beyond.
290
00:27:48,207 --> 00:27:53,281
The battle for the Amazon
is raging in Para State.
291
00:27:53,327 --> 00:27:58,321
These dances are not for entertainment,
they're a declaration of war.
292
00:28:04,647 --> 00:28:07,764
A long day's demonstration
293
00:28:07,807 --> 00:28:12,039
and I, for one, am on their side.
294
00:28:17,887 --> 00:28:23,200
On its final day, the protest moves
to the bank of the Xingu River.
295
00:28:26,527 --> 00:28:32,045
Imagine this is because your lives
are about to change for ever
296
00:28:32,087 --> 00:28:36,285
and it's like a plea, a plea for
help, a plea to be listened to.
297
00:28:36,327 --> 00:28:41,037
And that's why the atmosphere
here today is so strong and powerful.
298
00:28:43,687 --> 00:28:46,884
At the centre of the action
are the Kayapo Indians,
299
00:28:46,927 --> 00:28:51,239
considered one of the strongest and most
politically active tribes of the Amazon.
300
00:29:13,967 --> 00:29:17,482
As the protesters head
back to their villages,
301
00:29:17,527 --> 00:29:21,042
it seems that first blood
has gone to the Indians,
302
00:29:21,087 --> 00:29:25,319
but the battle for the Xingu River
is far from over.
303
00:29:29,167 --> 00:29:33,319
The industrial development of the
region is going full-steam ahead,
304
00:29:33,367 --> 00:29:37,360
but there's a hidden face to the
Amazon's economic success story.
305
00:29:37,407 --> 00:29:40,365
I'm back on the
Transamazônica highway
306
00:29:40,407 --> 00:29:44,480
heading deeper into cattle country
to a town called Maraba.
307
00:29:44,527 --> 00:29:48,486
I've heard that Brazil's farming
business harbours a dark secret.
308
00:29:48,527 --> 00:29:52,122
Much of its wealth is built
on the backs of hidden workers
309
00:29:52,167 --> 00:29:56,718
who are trapped in
a modern form of slavery.
310
00:29:56,767 --> 00:30:01,602
It's unbelievable, but there's an
estimated between 25,000 and 100,000
311
00:30:01,647 --> 00:30:04,684
modern-day slaves here within Brazil
312
00:30:04,727 --> 00:30:09,847
and many of them are in Para State
working at clearing away the forest.
313
00:30:11,687 --> 00:30:14,918
This is the darkness
at the heart of the Amazon.
314
00:30:14,967 --> 00:30:16,923
The people I'm hoping to meet
315
00:30:16,967 --> 00:30:21,438
are some of the worst
casualties of this war.
316
00:30:25,647 --> 00:30:31,563
It's 6.30am and I'm off on a raid with
the government's mobile anti-slavery team.
317
00:30:31,607 --> 00:30:34,838
They've had a tip-off that there
are slaves working on a cattle ranch
318
00:30:34,887 --> 00:30:38,846
a couple of hours east of Maraba
and are hoping to liberate the workers,
319
00:30:38,887 --> 00:30:44,120
and if possible, prosecute
the farm owners.
320
00:30:44,167 --> 00:30:48,001
Really close now, the federal
police are just up in front.
321
00:30:48,047 --> 00:30:50,277
I saw them get their weapons ready.
322
00:30:50,327 --> 00:30:53,399
It looks like this is the farm.
323
00:30:59,967 --> 00:31:04,279
This is the right place,
but the workers are in the fields
324
00:31:04,327 --> 00:31:07,125
so opening the gate, and
that's where we're going now.
325
00:31:08,807 --> 00:31:13,562
The police go in first in case there's
any retaliation from the farm manager.
326
00:31:16,527 --> 00:31:21,123
We've just come to what might be
the residency for the workers.
327
00:31:22,847 --> 00:31:25,680
When we arrive, the boss
is nowhere to be seen.
328
00:31:25,727 --> 00:31:30,039
Now that we're here,
the anti-slavery squad can do its work
329
00:31:30,087 --> 00:31:34,478
which is interview the people
who are the oppressed.
330
00:31:34,527 --> 00:31:39,647
The workers are lured to these remote
farms from poorer parts of Brazil
331
00:31:39,687 --> 00:31:42,804
on the promise of good wages
and working conditions.
332
00:31:42,847 --> 00:31:46,203
But they soon find themselves
trapped in constant debt
333
00:31:46,247 --> 00:31:50,479
as they're charged a fortune for
their transport, food and lodgings.
334
00:31:50,527 --> 00:31:53,519
And their living conditions
are appalling.
335
00:31:53,567 --> 00:31:56,559
Just like here,
which I thought was an outside loo
336
00:31:56,607 --> 00:32:00,156
is actually someone's accommodation.
337
00:32:09,847 --> 00:32:13,999
More people arriving, guns being
found, mattresses ripped out,
338
00:32:14,047 --> 00:32:15,446
everyone's got a different job
339
00:32:15,487 --> 00:32:17,921
to interview them about different
aspects of their living conditions.
340
00:32:17,967 --> 00:32:20,435
The more that we're here,
the more we're uncovering
341
00:32:20,487 --> 00:32:23,081
and people are relaxing and
beginning to say more as well.
342
00:32:23,127 --> 00:32:27,200
Despite working up to 16 hours a day, with
all the various costs they have to pay,
343
00:32:27,247 --> 00:32:33,277
the workers are in debt-bondage to the
farm managers and can never get away.
344
00:32:40,367 --> 00:32:42,961
Have you ever been
physically mistreated?
345
00:33:06,767 --> 00:33:09,884
The enforcement team
say that on many farms,
346
00:33:09,927 --> 00:33:15,399
the workers are kept under armed
guard in case they try to escape.
347
00:33:15,447 --> 00:33:19,326
Human Rights groups have documented
more than 1,200 murders of slave-workers,
348
00:33:19,367 --> 00:33:22,484
which are often recorded
as just farming accidents.
349
00:33:22,527 --> 00:33:26,122
How do you feel now that the
mobile unit has come today?
350
00:33:37,247 --> 00:33:39,841
And inside, you're happy?
351
00:33:53,247 --> 00:33:57,160
Slavery was officially
abolished in Brazil in 1888,
352
00:33:57,207 --> 00:34:01,086
but from our experience
on this farm,
353
00:34:01,127 --> 00:34:05,439
it's clear that it's still thriving today
in these remote areas of the Amazon.
354
00:34:07,967 --> 00:34:10,879
We get so desensitised to poverty
355
00:34:10,927 --> 00:34:14,397
with all of the images we have of
Africa and other parts of the world,
356
00:34:14,447 --> 00:34:16,005
these days on television,
357
00:34:16,047 --> 00:34:20,199
but coming here now and
speaking to these people,
358
00:34:20,247 --> 00:34:24,286
this might not look like
a starving group, but it certainly is.
359
00:34:24,327 --> 00:34:29,196
Unbelievable, the conditions
that these people have to live in.
360
00:34:29,247 --> 00:34:31,238
They've come from miles away,
361
00:34:31,287 --> 00:34:34,404
they're never given enough of their
money so that they can leave.
362
00:34:34,447 --> 00:34:38,838
They're charged for the basic necessities
and they can never afford to get home,
363
00:34:38,887 --> 00:34:42,721
they can never afford to break
their bonds of staying here,
364
00:34:42,767 --> 00:34:46,806
and this is right to be called slavery
because no-one deserves this.
365
00:34:48,607 --> 00:34:52,361
The team make a crucial discovery
in one of the bedrooms,
366
00:34:52,407 --> 00:34:56,241
concrete proof of how the
debt bondage system works.
367
00:35:04,287 --> 00:35:06,164
What is this book that you found?
368
00:35:17,647 --> 00:35:20,115
How does this compare to
the other places you've seen?
369
00:35:31,807 --> 00:35:33,718
The hard bit now is the logistics.
370
00:35:33,767 --> 00:35:36,600
Some of these people have come from
371
00:35:36,647 --> 00:35:40,959
distant parts of Brazil and they've got to
be taken home, so some will be taken now
372
00:35:41,007 --> 00:35:44,966
and others will be put up in town
until they can get back to their homes.
373
00:35:45,007 --> 00:35:47,237
But for the people involved, a happy day.
374
00:35:49,407 --> 00:35:53,320
It seems that everything
here is connected.
375
00:35:53,367 --> 00:35:58,157
The gangs taking the land, the illegal
loggers, the slaves clearing the forest
376
00:35:58,207 --> 00:36:03,725
and the ranchers, all working to make
an easy profit for the wealthy elite.
377
00:36:03,767 --> 00:36:07,806
And there's one final group
I want to visit on my journey
378
00:36:07,847 --> 00:36:11,635
who also have a large stake
in the outcome of this war.
379
00:36:11,687 --> 00:36:16,044
Been driving all day,
this extraordinary scenery.
380
00:36:16,087 --> 00:36:21,480
As far as the eye can see, it's
grassland and cattle but ahead of me,
381
00:36:21,527 --> 00:36:26,317
somewhere there is still one
refuge where the forest is intact.
382
00:36:26,367 --> 00:36:28,403
And the only reason it's intact
383
00:36:28,447 --> 00:36:33,237
is because it belongs to the
indigenous group the Kayapo.
384
00:36:35,647 --> 00:36:38,366
The Kayapo I met at the
dam protest in Altamira
385
00:36:38,407 --> 00:36:42,116
have given me permission to visit
them in their home territory.
386
00:36:42,167 --> 00:36:46,206
They live just inside the
Kayapo Indigenous Reserve,
387
00:36:46,247 --> 00:36:49,683
a vast area of three million
square hectares,
388
00:36:49,727 --> 00:36:51,285
in the middle of cattle country.
389
00:36:51,327 --> 00:36:55,605
Their forest home is supposed
to be protected by law,
390
00:36:55,647 --> 00:37:00,323
but it's under constant attack from
cattle ranchers and illegal loggers.
391
00:37:03,847 --> 00:37:06,680
Ah, Pedro Paulo.
392
00:37:10,167 --> 00:37:13,079
Nice to see you again. Ah,
really nice to see you again.
393
00:37:41,407 --> 00:37:45,002
The Kayapo are renowned
for elaborate body paintings
394
00:37:45,047 --> 00:37:47,003
and though I've only been here
395
00:37:47,047 --> 00:37:51,438
two minutes, I'm already being branded
with a traditional Kayapo design.
396
00:37:53,087 --> 00:37:54,440
Wow.
397
00:37:54,487 --> 00:37:57,240
That is beautiful.
398
00:37:57,287 --> 00:38:02,407
Do you use painting at all times or
is it only when you're feeling good?
399
00:38:15,887 --> 00:38:18,321
Last time I saw the members
of this community,
400
00:38:18,367 --> 00:38:21,165
they were stomping around by the river.
401
00:38:32,127 --> 00:38:34,721
This is just so tranquil.
402
00:38:34,767 --> 00:38:38,203
Everyone's just slowly coming up
to me, introducing their family,
403
00:38:38,247 --> 00:38:43,526
introducing themselves, all saying
good afternoon. Great start.
404
00:38:48,087 --> 00:38:50,521
(SINGING)
405
00:38:50,567 --> 00:38:52,956
It's my first morning in the village,
406
00:38:53,007 --> 00:38:55,919
and I've been woken up
by the sound of chanting,
407
00:38:55,967 --> 00:38:59,755
and asked to join the Kayapo
for their morning ritual.
408
00:38:59,807 --> 00:39:01,957
(SINGING CONTINUES)
409
00:39:07,887 --> 00:39:11,880
We've been up doing this since
4.00 this morning, 4.30.
410
00:39:15,287 --> 00:39:17,881
Great way to start the day.
411
00:39:17,927 --> 00:39:21,966
(SINGING CONTINUES)
412
00:39:45,287 --> 00:39:47,357
They wanted to paint
my face yesterday,
413
00:39:47,407 --> 00:39:52,117
but they couldn't because I had
a bit of a stubble, so hopefully,
414
00:39:52,167 --> 00:39:57,764
after a little shower and now a shave,
I'll get the full body paint job.
415
00:40:02,167 --> 00:40:05,842
The Kayapo have a close relationship
with the natural world.
416
00:40:05,887 --> 00:40:09,641
Their body paintings represent
the various animals of the forest
417
00:40:09,687 --> 00:40:13,316
and also help to reinforce
their identity as a tribe.
418
00:40:17,487 --> 00:40:21,082
I'm getting a maddening itch,
but if you scratch your face,
419
00:40:21,127 --> 00:40:22,924
you've ruined an hour's work.
420
00:40:28,327 --> 00:40:32,286
It's not just me getting a full
paint-job, lots of other people
421
00:40:32,327 --> 00:40:34,557
are preparing themselves
422
00:40:34,607 --> 00:40:37,758
for some form of ceremony
which is about to take place.
423
00:40:57,207 --> 00:40:59,596
(SINGING)
424
00:41:03,367 --> 00:41:07,997
The people of Krinu are giving me
a formal welcome to their village.
425
00:41:08,047 --> 00:41:12,040
They're part of a wider group of Kayapo
numbering between 6,000 and 7,000,
426
00:41:12,087 --> 00:41:16,365
most of them still living
a traditional life in the forest.
427
00:41:16,407 --> 00:41:20,446
Even though I don't know the words, it's
just really powerful being in the group
428
00:41:20,487 --> 00:41:24,480
and doing the stomp and the movement
and they all agree, they were like,
429
00:41:24,527 --> 00:41:28,998
''Yeah, this is why we do it.
It's to bind us.'' It's really strong.
430
00:41:29,047 --> 00:41:33,916
(CHANTING)
431
00:41:40,607 --> 00:41:43,280
The Kayapo seem to have
a foot in both worlds.
432
00:41:43,327 --> 00:41:47,605
They're obviously committed to
their traditions, yet they're tackling
433
00:41:47,647 --> 00:41:53,085
the modern world head-on and are acutely
aware of the power of the camera.
434
00:41:58,087 --> 00:42:01,124
They're a strong nation, with
a clear message for us to take
435
00:42:01,167 --> 00:42:02,839
to the outside world.
436
00:42:38,167 --> 00:42:42,683
Yesterday, when I arrived, I asked the
community to speak with a clear voice,
437
00:42:42,727 --> 00:42:46,845
to give me a message to take away,
and they're certainly doing that today.
438
00:42:46,887 --> 00:42:49,765
It's been a really powerful
evening, beautiful, emotional,
439
00:42:49,807 --> 00:42:53,720
and now, one by one, they're
telling me about how they feel
440
00:42:53,767 --> 00:42:58,841
about what's going on in their world,
and this is exactly what I wanted.
441
00:43:34,287 --> 00:43:39,407
The next day, Ireo takes me
downstream through the reserve
442
00:43:39,447 --> 00:43:43,963
to go and harvest a special crop
at the heart of Kayapo culture.
443
00:43:45,527 --> 00:43:48,166
Off getting Brazil nuts,
444
00:43:48,207 --> 00:43:52,120
quite a long journey down river
because all of the nut trees
445
00:43:52,167 --> 00:43:54,920
near the village were burnt
by the local farmers,
446
00:43:54,967 --> 00:43:57,879
and so now, they've got
to go such a long distance,
447
00:43:57,927 --> 00:44:02,603
just to get what previously used
to be right on their doorstep.
448
00:44:22,647 --> 00:44:24,922
BRUCE: Wow.
449
00:44:26,567 --> 00:44:30,924
This is about the hardest thing
there is to find here, and look,
450
00:44:30,967 --> 00:44:34,926
that's what you should have
in your Christmas stocking.
451
00:44:40,887 --> 00:44:45,517
Like you've never tasted
a Brazil nut before.
452
00:44:48,847 --> 00:44:55,116
Brazil nuts are essential to the Kayapo
as a form of food and as a cash crop.
453
00:44:55,167 --> 00:44:59,399
But Ireo says the cattle ranchers clearing
pasture on the edge of their land
454
00:44:59,447 --> 00:45:01,836
have destroyed many of their trees,
455
00:45:01,887 --> 00:45:06,039
despite the fact that
they're protected by law.
456
00:45:43,487 --> 00:45:47,116
(HE SINGS)
457
00:46:02,487 --> 00:46:07,038
This morning, I'm helping the
women to dig up sweet potatoes -
458
00:46:07,087 --> 00:46:08,839
a staple food of the Kayapo.
459
00:46:08,887 --> 00:46:12,880
Ah! I've picked up an
ants nest on my back.
460
00:46:12,927 --> 00:46:17,603
I think that they must be crawling
all over this... Ah! ...this basket.
461
00:46:21,047 --> 00:46:24,119
- Ah!
- (THE WOMEN LAUGH)
462
00:46:24,167 --> 00:46:28,206
The potatoes are cooked
over hot stones on the fire.
463
00:46:28,247 --> 00:46:32,001
Then, we discover that
fresh meat is on its way.
464
00:46:34,767 --> 00:46:36,405
Can I help?
465
00:46:40,927 --> 00:46:43,487
My God! That's heavy, man!
466
00:46:43,527 --> 00:46:45,677
What have you got in it?
467
00:46:48,687 --> 00:46:51,406
Had an all day,
really busy day with him,
468
00:46:51,447 --> 00:46:53,756
out collecting brazil nuts,
469
00:46:53,807 --> 00:46:57,800
I was knackered, I go to bed,
wake up in the morning
470
00:46:57,847 --> 00:47:01,044
and hear that he's been
out hunting all night.
471
00:47:01,087 --> 00:47:04,716
It's now midday, he's only just
got back, the guy doesn't stop!
472
00:47:07,207 --> 00:47:09,437
Wild boar. Oh, my God.
473
00:47:10,487 --> 00:47:12,557
Piranha.
474
00:47:12,607 --> 00:47:17,078
And...rear end and ribs.
475
00:47:31,687 --> 00:47:33,917
It's perfect.
476
00:47:36,727 --> 00:47:40,356
The Kayapo I met at the dam protest
were fierce media-savvy warriors,
477
00:47:40,407 --> 00:47:43,922
but now I've been here a few
days, I'm seeing a different side
478
00:47:43,967 --> 00:47:46,720
to this gentle family-based community.
479
00:47:59,567 --> 00:48:04,004
During my stay, Ireo and the other
elders take me to the top of a hill
480
00:48:04,047 --> 00:48:06,925
to show me the view
across their territory.
481
00:48:53,927 --> 00:48:56,122
This is, this isn't just,
482
00:48:56,167 --> 00:48:59,239
this isn't just any old paint,
483
00:48:59,287 --> 00:49:00,845
this is war paint,
484
00:49:00,887 --> 00:49:04,323
because for the people here,
this is a battle, this is their lives,
485
00:49:04,367 --> 00:49:06,642
this is their homeland,
this is their families,
486
00:49:06,687 --> 00:49:09,884
their futures, their medicinal
plants, the animals, everything,
487
00:49:09,927 --> 00:49:14,125
it's a proper battle and that's the
real impression that I'm getting here
488
00:49:14,167 --> 00:49:19,161
for these people and, it's everything,
it's everything to them.
489
00:49:37,847 --> 00:49:39,439
Whoa, think it could be...
490
00:49:56,767 --> 00:50:02,683
Tell me why is it important, from your
perspective, to keep the forest as it is?
491
00:50:47,687 --> 00:50:53,205
Powerful, powerful words
from really wise men
492
00:50:53,247 --> 00:50:55,158
at the end of my long journey.
493
00:50:55,207 --> 00:50:58,961
And to be here now on this hillside
looking at pristine forest,
494
00:50:59,007 --> 00:51:01,316
and knowing why it's pristine,
495
00:51:01,367 --> 00:51:06,361
and it's thanks to these people,
is a fitting end to this trip.
496
00:51:33,487 --> 00:51:37,878
Tomorrow morning, I leave really
early, and they said, before you go,
497
00:51:37,927 --> 00:51:42,717
can we say goodbye to you
in our traditional way?
498
00:52:18,487 --> 00:52:20,205
That's so special. Thank you.
499
00:52:20,247 --> 00:52:21,475
Muito obrigado.
500
00:52:42,247 --> 00:52:44,522
(SINGING)
501
00:52:52,887 --> 00:52:55,196
They've given me
the name Mryprire,
502
00:52:55,247 --> 00:52:57,363
which means ''tree full of flowers''.
503
00:53:06,127 --> 00:53:09,278
(EXCITED CHATTER)
504
00:53:15,367 --> 00:53:18,245
(SINGING)
505
00:53:27,647 --> 00:53:30,878
Looking around at the faces of
the people I've met here,
506
00:53:30,927 --> 00:53:33,999
I can't help but be deeply moved
by their warmth and kindness,
507
00:53:34,047 --> 00:53:37,756
but also by their strength
and determination.
508
00:53:39,367 --> 00:53:42,916
They've chosen to stay in
their world here in the forest,
509
00:53:42,967 --> 00:53:45,356
but they have to defend
their territory
510
00:53:45,407 --> 00:53:47,762
from the dangers
of modern development
511
00:53:47,807 --> 00:53:50,367
if their culture is to survive.
512
00:53:58,567 --> 00:54:03,687
I couldn't think of a more wonderful
way of finishing my Amazonian epic.
513
00:54:03,727 --> 00:54:06,799
The power here of this group
514
00:54:06,847 --> 00:54:08,724
is overwhelming.
515
00:54:08,767 --> 00:54:10,246
And right now,
516
00:54:10,287 --> 00:54:12,642
at the end of my journey...
517
00:54:13,847 --> 00:54:15,519
...it's too much.
518
00:54:32,327 --> 00:54:33,885
Yeah, I remember you.
519
00:54:33,927 --> 00:54:35,246
Come on, girls.
520
00:54:47,967 --> 00:54:51,039
You of all people have really
made it special for me,
521
00:54:51,087 --> 00:54:54,124
you've brought me into
the bosom of your family
522
00:54:54,167 --> 00:54:56,886
and made my whole time here so meaningful.
523
00:54:56,927 --> 00:54:59,487
Your wisdom is extraordinary
and you've taught me a lot.
524
00:55:33,127 --> 00:55:36,756
The Kayapo speak with a powerful voice.
525
00:55:36,807 --> 00:55:41,676
For me, they represent many of the people
I've met on my journey down the Amazon.
526
00:55:41,727 --> 00:55:47,359
Their traditional way of life is still
based on a system of sharing
527
00:55:47,407 --> 00:55:53,004
and genuine sustainability - values that
our society would do well to remember.
528
00:55:53,047 --> 00:55:57,837
Many scientists believe that the Amazon
is approaching a tipping point.
529
00:55:57,887 --> 00:56:00,765
If much more forest is destroyed,
530
00:56:00,807 --> 00:56:05,437
the effects on the ecosystem
will be irreversible.
531
00:56:08,647 --> 00:56:12,242
This all begs the question,
why should we care?
532
00:56:12,287 --> 00:56:14,960
It's got nothing to do with us.
But of course it does.
533
00:56:15,007 --> 00:56:19,364
Because this does affect
all of us throughout the world.
534
00:56:19,407 --> 00:56:24,117
I came here thinking I wouldn't
ever rant about this,
535
00:56:24,167 --> 00:56:30,083
but I've become so impassioned because
I've met so many wonderful people
536
00:56:30,127 --> 00:56:33,199
that care so much and whose
lives will be affected by this
537
00:56:33,247 --> 00:56:37,798
and that's why I want
to really tell this story -
538
00:56:37,847 --> 00:56:41,362
because it is important
and we should care.
539
00:56:45,167 --> 00:56:47,806
I'm at the end of the
world's longest river.
540
00:56:47,847 --> 00:56:52,284
It's been an amazing eight-month
journey spanning thousands of miles,
541
00:56:52,327 --> 00:56:55,637
from the high Andes
to the Atlantic Ocean.
542
00:56:57,807 --> 00:56:59,718
It's been exhausting...
543
00:57:03,607 --> 00:57:05,598
...and at the same time, exhilarating.
544
00:57:05,647 --> 00:57:08,525
This place is magic!
545
00:57:13,727 --> 00:57:18,517
I've witnessed the wars
over cocaine, oil and gold.
546
00:57:18,567 --> 00:57:21,798
And I've seen that the
destruction of the forest
547
00:57:21,847 --> 00:57:25,123
is not only the fault of
the people who live here.
548
00:57:25,167 --> 00:57:26,282
It's hard work.
549
00:57:26,327 --> 00:57:33,324
It's global demand for the Amazon's
resources that is driving deforestation.
550
00:57:33,367 --> 00:57:36,245
We are all responsible.
551
00:57:38,887 --> 00:57:42,482
It may be that the last
great hope for the Amazon
552
00:57:42,527 --> 00:57:46,156
is the world's growing
awareness of climate change.
553
00:57:46,207 --> 00:57:52,840
As a global community, we all need to
change the way we look at the Amazon,
554
00:57:52,887 --> 00:57:57,677
so that it's worth more
to us alive than dead.
555
00:57:59,447 --> 00:58:04,077
Finally, I've reached the Atlantic
Ocean and I can't go any further.
556
00:58:04,127 --> 00:58:06,721
It's an amazing feeling.
557
00:58:08,247 --> 00:58:10,044
Honest truth?
558
00:58:10,087 --> 00:58:12,806
I'm knackered, but I'm so happy.
559
00:58:12,847 --> 00:58:16,681
I've had just the best trip of my life
560
00:58:18,647 --> 00:58:20,922
and it's all just come to an end.
561
00:58:25,527 --> 00:58:27,404
I'm done. Ah!
562
00:58:31,407 --> 00:58:38,085
If you want to know more, visit
our website - bbc.co.uk/amazon