View the 34 minute film above or on YouTube!

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You can also watch the official trailer which offers a glimpse into the communities in the documentary. The trailer was created by Garrett Ordonez in collaboration with the Gibson Climate Justice Lab.

About the Film:

During May and June of 2023, Global Justice Ecology Project (GJEP) and the Campaign to STOP GE Trees brought people from Argentina, Canada, Chile, Germany, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, the UK, and the US to Brazil to develop plans for the international campaign to stop the development and commercial release of genetically engineered trees, and to support and highlight opposition to pulp company Suzano’s ongoing expansion of industrial eucalyptus plantations and potential use of genetically engineered eucalyptus trees modified to tolerate toxic herbicides.

GJEP and the Campaign met with Brazilian NGOs, Indigenous  MST, Ofayé, and Quilombola members in order to learn, document and amplify the voices and concerns of rural communities who are resisting industrial eucalyptus plantations and their devastating social and ecological impacts.

Read the demands of the communities we met with.

Accomplishments during the 2023 Delegation:

Met as the International Campaign Steering Committee to set campaign priorities, expand participation, and identifying participants threatened with GE tree development and/or potential eucalyptus or GE eucalyptus tree plantations in Brazil.

Built opposition to GE eucalyptus expansion by challenging corporate actors such as Suzano and supporting local organizations and Indigenous communities.

Amplified the voices of impacted communities through interviews, photography, video, and other media documenting resistance to industrial eucalyptus plantations.

Formed strategic relationships in Brazil with communities and organizations working to resist GE trees and industrial plantations.

Supported Quilombola and Indigenous communities documenting impacts including land grabbing, water loss, agrotoxin exposure, surveillance, habitat destruction, and displacement.

Brought community concerns directly to Brazilian officials through meetings with three federal ministries and Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies, accompanied by Quilombola community member Josenea. Also, the delegation supported MST communities reclaiming land from eucalyptus plantations.

Secured pledges of government support for impacted communities and established plans with Brazilian partners to follow their progress.