^{Mariana photographed by Adriana Miranda}

                                                               

“Back in 2012 when I left the corporate world, I started to visit the Amazon which brought me closer to the local people. This experience connected me with the forest on a deeper level. They have this wisdom and kindness that I have not seen before. Then I realised my lifestyle was provoking the degradation of where they live, so I decided to quit loads of things that I knew were causing harm.”

MARIANA

Text:  Beth Mark
Art direction: Sandra Freij

Meet Mariana, an Impact Entrepreneur and Documentary Photographer, working to establish a reconnection between people and the Amazon rainforest.   

^{Photo by Tiago Silveira}

Today, Mari is based in Sao Paulo in Brazil but spends most of her time in the Amazon. When we spoke, she was staying with a friend, who has been caught up in the frontline politics of the country, she explains,


"My friend is a volunteer fire-fighter in the Amazon, that has been pursued due to his ambientalist work...

Mari goes on to explain the political situation in Brazil at the moment,

..”in Brazil, the government is criminalising NGO’s who are critical of its policies. The environmental work of these people is so important, but to continue with it, they are risking their wellbeing and persecution from the government.”

^{Photo by Tiago Silveira}

Mari started her eco-conscious journey from a young age and has developed her awareness ever since, she explains, 

“When I was 12 years old, my teacher in geography class had this book called '50 Small Things That You Can Do To Save The Earth’, which I started reading and doing everything it recommended. I would say 'you have to turn off your tap while brushing your teeth', small things like that. I thought that if I did this, it was enough. And then I realised that it wasn't enough, and it started to really bother me...

^{Photo by Tiago Silveira}

^{Photo by  Fernanda Bozza}

^{Photo by Tiago Silveira}

.. back in 2012 when I left the corporate world, I started to visit the Amazon which brought me closer to the local people. This experience connected me with the forest on a deeper level. They have this wisdom and kindness that I have not seen before. Then I realised my lifestyle was provoking the degradation of where they live, so I decided to quit loads of things that I knew were causing harm.”

Mari feels the world is going through a transition where city life is becoming less sustainable due to a growing disconnect between individuals and nature. This realisation led to the launch of an initiative called “Palafitas” – family and school learning journeys in indigenous and riverine communities. She explains the purpose of her project,

^{Photo by Mari Brunini}

^{Photos by Tiago Silveira}

“The project is to promote connections between ourselves, nature and the people who live in the communities. The goal is to regenerate our relationship with each other and the world; when you experience the collaboration and the interdependence between people and planet first hand, you can start to connect with affection. You look at nature as a system, not as a resource. You start to feel responsible and want to be part of the solution. Ultimately, Palafitas sets out to shape a new mindset which can become a powerful tool to create societal impact on a greater scale.”

^{Photos by Mari Brunini}

As well as running her ecosocial-project, Mari is co-founder of Parents For Future Brazil and plays an active role in the Parents for Future Global collaboration. She reflects on the group and how being part of a global network makes her feel,

“It's funny because even though we are all from different parts of the world, it seems that we have the same realisations. For me, it's comforting, because I was beginning to think I was an alien, and nobody could understand me. And then I realised there are people, really nice smart people, that have the same issues and concerns to exchange experiences with.”

^{Photo by Mari Brunini}

^{Photo by Mari Brunini}

I ask her about PFF Brazil and what their main focus will be in the new year, she explains,

“In Brazil, we call ourselves Familias Pelo Clima, translated to Families For Climate. We decided to rename our group as it's not only parents who want to be involved; I don't have kids, I don't have plans to have kids, but I'm engaged in this situation and want to be part of the movement. For the coming year, we want to focus on elections because we have to promote the climate vote. We can’t risk someone being elected who sees the Amazon and nature as a resource. At this stage, it would be a disaster, a total disaster.”

^{Photo by Mari Brunini and Brenna Castro}

We end our discussion with Mari’s hopes for the future,

“As a global society, I hope we understand that what is at risk is undoubtedly more valuable than money. Not for a moral reason but for a rather practical one; human existence relies on resources (such as water) being jeopardised by profit driven activities spiraling out of control.  Mining, dams and agribusiness to name a few. We must look into regeneration. You can go to the best university to understand what people are describing but there is no better education than a real experience with people from a different background, as that is when you truly understand what is at stake.”

^{Photo by Tiago Silveira}

^{Photo by Mari Brunini}

^{Photo by Vanessa Rozan}

As someone who has never been to the Amazon, just talking to Mari I was able to transport my mind to that spectacular place, the lungs of our planet, a place we should all be lobbying and adapting our lifestyles to protect. We wish Mari and her friends all the best in their mission to protect the caretakers, plants and animals to this special place.

Three  take-home statements

1. ︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎Whenever you can, put yourself in the shoes of those who are currently affected by ecological breakdown. 

2. ︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎Connect with nature to establish a relationship and love of your surroundings. 

3. ︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎Use your voice and vote for ‘decision makers’ who see nature as a system and not as a resource to profit.

Further reading and resources

︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎ ‘Ideas to postpone the end of the world’ by Ailton Krenak

︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎ Heat - short film directed by Mari Corrêa

︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎ The Beginning of Life 2: Outside - A Brazilian film directed by Renata Terra

︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎Mari Brunini photography

︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎Palafitas - Experience a connection with nature