Brazil Case Study

Environmental racism in real Brazilian contexts

Indigenous Communities

Many Indigenous territories face illegal mining, deforestation, and river contamination. These problems can affect food security, health, and traditional ways of life.

Reports from health and socio-environmental organizations have linked illegal gold mining to mercury exposure in Amazon regions, which is especially dangerous for children and pregnant women.

Members of an Indigenous community in a forest region.
Indigenous communities are often on the front line of environmental protection and also of environmental risk. Image: Wikimedia Commons (Public domain) - source

Quilombola Communities

Quilombola communities often struggle with land insecurity, lack of infrastructure, and environmental pressure from projects that ignore traditional rights. Environmental racism appears when these communities are excluded from decisions and do not receive equal protection.

Participants in a Quilombola community workshop.
Quilombola communities continue to organize for land rights, public services, and environmental justice. Image: Wikimedia Commons (Public domain) - source

Favelas and Urban Peripheries

In many favelas, families live with open sewage, irregular garbage collection, flood risk, and low access to green areas. During heavy rains, floods and landslides can damage homes and schools.

Sanitation inequality is not random. It follows historical patterns of race and income inequality, which is why this is also a social justice issue.

Houses in a favela in Rio de Janeiro.
In many urban peripheries, poor infrastructure increases exposure to floods, pollution, and health risks. Image: Wikimedia Commons (CC0) - source

Main Problems Highlighted in Brazil

ProblemImpact
Lack of sanitationWaterborne diseases, unsafe living conditions
Flooding and landslidesLoss of housing, school interruption, trauma
Deforestation near traditional territoriesLoss of biodiversity and food sources
Pollution from mining and industryToxic exposure and long-term health risks