You might not think you’re directly connected to rainforest destruction and slave labor. But you probably are, and a compelling report this week from Greenpeace connects the dots.
It’s called “Driving Destruction in the Amazon.” It highlights how steel used to make thousands of everyday products can often be tied to the clear-cutting of forests to make charcoal that fuels iron ore smelters.
It isn’t just an environmental problem; it’s a major human rights problem. That’s because many charcoal operations are run with slave labor.
The Greenpeace report builds on work already underway to confront charcoal slavery by Free the Slaves and our frontline partners in Brazil. You can see their award-winning work in the FTS documentary “Partners in Action.”
Brazil has one of the world’s most aggressive anti-slavery initiatives, including special SWAT squads to liberate slaves, a Dirty List that quarantines businesses convicted of slavery, and a National Pact signed by major companies who pledge to avoid slavery-tainted products and raw materials. This week’s Greenpeace report underscores why such aggressive action is needed.