How the Amazon Desert Rally campaign is fighting for the rainforest's survival

In 2023, the Amazon Basin faced an alarming water crisis, losing 120 trillion liters of water, primarily due to rampant illegal logging. This drastic environmental change has led to the worst drought in over a century, severely impacting local communities and biodiversity. 

A unique awareness campaign, the “Amazon Desert Rally,” illustrates the urgency of this situation, imagining a dystopian future that could become reality if immediate actions are not taken to preserve the rainforest and its vital water resources.

Deforestation and drought in the Amazon Basin

Illegal logging, responsible for approximately 40% of the deforestation in the Amazon, plays a significant role in this drastic water loss. A recent study revealed that 142,000 hectares of illegal deforestation impacted areas in Acre, Amazonas, Rondônia, and Roraima, exacerbating the degradation of protected areas and adversely affecting Indigenous communities. 

Compounding this environmental devastation is a severe drought, the worst in 121 years, which has not only strained water resources but also crippled local fishing industries and escalated forest fires in Roraima. This combination of rampant deforestation and persistent drought paints a grim future for the region.

The Amazon Desert Rally campaign

To bring attention to this crisis, the Amazon Environmental Research Institute (IPAM), the Paiter Suruí Indigenous village, and Stock Car, Brazil's premier motorsport category, created the “Amazon Desert Rally.” This fictitious race highlights the dire reality of the drying rivers in the Amazon basin. 

The campaign’s launch film, shot on the Rio Branco in Roraima, depicts a dystopian future where Indigenous people prepare for a race on the dry riverbed—a stark illustration of the current and worsening situation.

A powerful message from the Paiter Suruí

In Cacoal, Rondônia, the Paiter Suruí have lived in harmony with the Amazon for generations, and the thought of its demise is deeply personal and painful. Through this campaign, they want to convey their message to the world: they do not wish for the rally to become a reality, as it would signify the complete loss of their ancestral homeland. 

“Devoid of water and devoid of forest, humanity will lack the vitality to rally.” —Almir Surui, President of the Paiter Surui territory and UN-appointed Forest Hero. 

Consumer responsibility and Stock Car’s role

The campaign encourages consumers to consider the origins of their goods, such as paper products and the wood in their furniture, advocating for forest conservation through responsible choices. 

Fernando Julianelli, CEO of Vicar, which promotes Stock Car Brazil, stresses the importance of preserving Amazonian resources. Stock Car has committed to zero carbon emissions, promoting sustainability in motorsports. “Don't sponsor this race,” Julianelli remarks, emphasizing the need for collective action to protect the rainforest.

Local artists depict the urgency of preservation

Indigenous and non-indigenous artists from the Amazon region were invited to create pieces, serving as protests to prevent this rally from ever becoming a reality. These creations were showcased in an exhibition during the Stock Car race at the Interlagos Autodrome, Brazil's most prestigious racing venue and home of the Brazilian Formula 1 Grand Prix. 

The seven artists who contributed to the project are residents of the Amazon region, directly affected by the drying rivers: Duhigó from the Paricachoeira village, Dhiani Pa'saro from the Wanano ethnicity, Yúpury from the Tukano nation, Sãnipã from the Apurinã ethnicity, Nelson Falcão, Monik Ventilari, and Cássio Flores from Amazonas.

A call to action to prevent the reality of the Rally

By highlighting the severe drought and deforestation taking place in the rainforest, the Amazon Desert Rally urges individuals and organizations to adopt sustainable practices and support initiatives aimed at preserving this critical ecosystem. 

The campaign serves as a wake-up call for immediate action to preserve one of our planet's most invaluable natural treasures. The race itself is not real; it symbolizes a future we must prevent.