by Juliana Gerhardt

From July 28th to August 3rd, our Applied Sustainability Analyst, Juliana Gerhardt, was in Amazonas participating in the “Amazon Expedition: knowing to communicate”. The expedition, which was organized by ABERJE (Brazilian Association of Business Communication) and Academia Amazônia Ensina, was sponsored by BASF, LATAM and Itaú, and had the participation of Novo Nordisk, Portobello and Globo. With the aim of introducing participants to a little of the traditional knowledge and possibilities in science and technology, it was an incredible 7-day journey that “enabled” the members of the Expedition to speak and communicate about the realities of the Amazon, now with greater authority. 

During the first 4 days, the group visited several important institutions in the city of Manaus. The other 3 days were spent on a “hotel boat”, traveling along the Rio Negro and getting to know a little about the realities of the city. on site of indigenous and riverside communities. Below, Juliana tells us a little about what those 7 days were like. 

“The Amazon rainforest is so beautiful, that’s a fact! However, more than seeing the forest and the natural beauty, we went with the aim of seeing and listening to the people.”  

The first day was everyone's arrival in Manaus and an integration activity to get to know the other expedition members and their respective companies. 

On the second day, we visited the National Institute of Amazonian Research, where we had a masterclass on the loss of ecosystem services in the Amazon with Prof. Dr. Philip Fearnside. We visited the Amazonian Aquatic Mammals Laboratory and the AMPA (Friends of the Manatee Association), where they do a wonderful job of rescuing and caring for manatee and giant otter specimens. We took a guided tour of the Amazon Museum (MUSA), visiting its various spaces, such as the orchidarium, serpentarium, aquarium and water lily pond. And to end the day on a high note, we climbed the 242 steps of the observation tower of the Duke Reserve, a primary forest reserve that preserves a 100 km2 area.²of the Amazon rainforest on the outskirts of Manaus. There, we were blessed with a beautiful sunset and pairs of macaws flying over the forest. 

On our third day in Manaus, we visited IMPACT HUB MANAUS, a space created to foster connections between people, generating business and opportunities that lead to positive changes. There, we met Paulo and Louise, who introduced us to some of the work developed by the Institute for Conservation and Sustainable Development of Amazonas (IDESAM), which has been developing the Amazon and the people who live there for over 20 years. We also heard from Martha, the executive secretary of communications for Amazonas, who explained and told us a little about the government's actions in favor of more real and effective communication about the Amazon, for Brazil and the world! 

We had the pleasure of taking a stroll through the Adolpho Lisboa Municipal Market, one of Manaus’ tourist attractions, which sells a variety of local products. Afterwards, we went to visit the Amazon Biobusiness Center (CBA), where we were welcomed by Dr. Caio Perecin, CBA’s Operations Director, who told us about the new plans and ideas for this new CBA management. During the technical visit, we visited the Plant Biotechnology, Analytical Center (oils) and Materials and Energy laboratories, accompanied by Dr. Márcio Miranda, CBA’s general director. 

On the fourth day, we visited the Technological Development Institute (INDT) and were welcomed by CEO Geraldo Feitoza, who told us a little about the history of the formation of the capital of Amazonas, the economic development brought about by the rubber boom to the present day, and questioned the economic models adopted up until then. We also visited some technology development, testing and certification laboratories. In the afternoon, we visited the SAMSUMG factory in the Manaus Free Trade Zone, where the Director of Relations for Latin America, Mário Laffitte, accompanied us on a tour of the brand's inspection, cell phone packaging and television production areas, in addition to telling us a little about investments in research, development and innovation. He also commented on how investments in the Amazon operate, which arise through tax incentive laws granted by the Amazonas State Government and the Federal Government. At the end of the day, we were welcomed by the Sustainability Superintendent of the Sustainable Amazon Foundation (FAS), Valcléia Soli. The work developed by the NGO is incredible, always seeking to listen to people and understand the needs and development opportunities for the regions where FAS operates and invests, through resources raised in investment funds and public notices. It is important to highlight the phenomenal work carried out by them during the drought crisis in 2023 and the preparation for this year's drought, which tends to be as severe as the last one. The day ended with a visit to the famous Teatro Amazonas and Largo São Sebastião, in the city center. 

On the fifth day, we boarded a boat to sail along the Rio Negro and visit the communities. Our first stop was at the Museu do Seringal, where we learned about the rubber cycle and, therefore, about the extraction of latex from rubber trees and the method of rubber production at that time, which peaked from 1880 to 1910 or so, and then had a second cycle during the Second World War. After visiting the museum, we went to visit the Cipiá Indigenous Community, which treated us to a beautiful dance and music performance, in addition to explaining a little about the community's customs. Finally, we docked at the Tumbira Community, which is located in the Rio Negro Sustainable Development Reserve (RDS), to spend the night. 

On the sixth day, we were welcomed by the Community President, William, who accompanied us on the planting activity, where we had the opportunity to plant several native tree seedlings in an area where an Agroforestry System (SAF) is being developed. I had the joy of planting a Bacaba seedling, a palm tree native to the Amazon. Soon after, we traveled by boat to the Santa Helena do Inglês Community, located in the Rio Negro Sustainable Development Reserve (RDS), 60 km from Manaus, where we were welcomed by community leader Nelson Mendonça. Nelson told us a little about the creation of the community and the Project. “Always Light”, a partnership between the Sustainable Amazon Foundation (FAS) and the company Unicoba, which develops energy solutions. The community had already had electricity since 2012 thanks to the Federal Government's Light for All Program. But the installation of a small solar plant gave them greater stability in the energy supply thanks to the generation and storage of electricity through the installed solar panels and batteries. With this, new opportunities for generating income were possible in the community, improving everyone's living conditions. Soon after, we met Mr. Roberto Brito, a former logger who today fights for the preservation of the standing forest and for more responsible economic models. He guided us on a trail through the community area, explaining how it came about, how it is maintained and how it has advanced, relying on practices that take sustainable development into account. It was an incredible day, which ended with a river bath on the banks of the Rio Negro, and later in the evening, a sensational experience of night canoeing. 

The seventh and final day was a stop at Lake Acajatuba, where it was possible to observe and interact with the pink dolphins, a project developed by local residents and monitored by IBAMA. Afterwards, we began the return journey along the Rio Negro, heading towards Manaus. During the final hours of the expedition, while still on the boat, each of the expedition members presented a little about the sustainability work developed at their institutions. It was an opportunity to introduce the Eco+ Foundation and BASF, telling a little about the projects that directly or indirectly relate to the sustainability of the Amazon. 

Finally, I will conclude by saying that it was a transformative experience! And a very emotional one too, since we listened to and spoke to the people who live there and who went through all the situations that we only followed from afar in the news. Being able to understand what the pandemic and this latest drought that occurred in 2023 meant to these people made us understand better and be even more certain that taking care of the Amazon is, above all, taking care of and supporting the people who live there and who depend on this biome to live a dignified life. And being absolutely certain that all of us, Brazilians and other people around the world, are affected by everything that happens there! Therefore, a close look at the region and its people, and the search for opportunities focused on the bioeconomy, are essential actions for the continuity of the many species that inhabit this Amazon and the Planet! 

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