Brazilian artist Mundano has unveiled a large street mural in Sao Paulo using ash and mud to highlight climate change issues. The mural depicts deforestation and drought in the Amazon and features Indigenous activist Alessandra Korap. It aims to hold Cargill accountable for its role in deforestation and underscores the urgent need for environmental reform in Brazil.
In Sao Paulo, Brazilian artist Mundano has unveiled a significant street mural that poignantly addresses the grave issues of climate change and environmental destruction. Measuring over 30 meters high and 48 meters wide, this artistic endeavor utilizes ash from recent wildfires and mud from devastating floods to illustrate the alarming consequences of extreme weather phenomena in Brazil. The mural features striking depictions of deforestation and drought in the Amazon rainforest, showcasing parched land and gray stumps. Additionally, it portrays Indigenous activist Alessandra Korap adorned with a crown of flowers, grasping a sign that reads: “Stop the destruction keepyourpromise.” The message specifically targets Cargill, a Minnesota-based agribusiness, which has been implicated in rampant deforestation linked to soy farming — a significant driver of environmental degradation in the Amazon. Cargill has committed to eradicating deforestation from its supply chains by 2025, a pledge that Mundano aims to uphold through his artwork. During the past months, Brazil has endured devastating wildfires that have wreaked havoc in various protected regions including the Amazon, Cerrado savanna, and Pantanal wetlands, resulting in choking smoke that has impacted the health of urban residents. The country is currently grappling with severe drought, exacerbated by climate change driven primarily by fossil fuel combustion. A recent report from Cemaden, Brazil’s disaster warning center, suggests that this drought could extend for an indefinite period. The mural incorporates materials collected from various locations, including mud from floods that claimed over 180 lives earlier this year in Rio Grande do Sul, as well as ashes from environmental destruction featured in past wildfires. Mundano describes himself as an “artivist,” committed to utilizing art as a medium for advocacy. He reasserts the interconnectedness of climate issues with the declaration, “From floods to droughts, everything is connected!” This initiative reflects Mundano’s ongoing commitment to raising awareness about the detrimental impacts of human activities on the natural environment and the urgent need for sustainable practices.
The urgency surrounding climate change, particularly in Brazil, has intensified as extreme weather events become increasingly commonplace. The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the “lungs of the Earth,” is significantly impacted by deforestation, exacerbated by agribusiness practices, particularly soy farming. These activities not only contribute to environmental degradation but also affect the livelihoods and health of Indigenous communities. Recent natural disasters, such as wildfires and floods, reflect a growing crisis that necessitates immediate attention and reform in both policy and practice.
Mundano’s mural serves both as a stark reminder of the climate crisis impacting Brazil and as a clarion call for accountability from corporations contributing to environmental destruction. Through his art, he emphasizes the interconnectedness of climate events and the pressing need to address the root causes of environmental degradation. The artist’s commitment to using salvaged materials showcases a profound respect for the environment and calls for collective action to ensure a sustainable future.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
