Paraecologists

In the Fight to Defend the Amazon, This Indigenous Community’s Secret Weapon Is Science

In the copper-rich mountains of southeastern Ecuador, Shuar people are combining ancestral knowledge and modern science to protect their forest from a Canadian mining giant.

Story and photos by Katie Surma

MAIKIUANTS, Ecuador—By the time Olger Kitiar reached the ridge, his shirt was wet with sweat, clinging to his back. Built with the solid frame of a linebacker, he moved through the rainforest with a quick, even rhythm that defied the steep, slick climb. 

Then he froze.

“Stop,” he hissed in Spanish, his hand snapping up.

Jhostin Antún, a few steps behind, halted mid-stride. To an outsider, the trail ahead looked like any other patch of churned Amazonian mud—slick, brown and dense enough to swallow a boot. But Olger’s eyes, trained by a lifetime in the Shuar territory of Maikiuants, saw it instantly. He squatted down, pointing to a deep, four-toed indentation. The track was fresh. And massive.

“Jaguar,” he whispered, a grin spreading across his face.

The word "conscious" comes from the two words, "con" meaning "with" and "scious" meaning science. With Science.

If it is true that one of the primary goals of the Universe is to evolve consciousness, and if it is true that the Cosmos is unfriendly to ignorance, then becoming conscious, collectively, would be a highly-favored thing to do. If we wish to survive, that is. 

Failure to use science relative to the climate, and the ecosystem, is unconscious. Protecting the planet for future generations is conscious - with science. Even war, when you think about it, is unconscious. Hate is unconscious. Greed and self-importance are unconscious. Only love, when you boil it right on down, can be truly be said to be fully conscious. 

Our president is, as far as I can see, fully unconscious. Against science. Against our childrens' futures. And against life. So is the Republican party. Against science. Against life. 

Maybe with the upcoming midterm elections, we, like Olger, can hiss, "Stop." "Parar." "Arreter." "Stoppen."

The data paraecologists collect, such as species inventories and water samples, is translated into evidence that carries weight in courts. Increasingly, it’s winning cases. That’s because in Ecuador, nature has legal rights.

Katie, who traveled to Maikiuants, Ecuador, to report this story, explains the work these paraecologists are doing, what impact it might have on mining in their community, and the complex relationships between human rights and the rights of nature. 

About Kati Surma

Katie Surma  |  Reporter, Pittsburgh

Katie Surma is a reporter at Inside Climate News covering the rights of nature movement and international environmental justice. Her work has a strong focus on the intersection of human rights and the environment. Before joining ICN, she practiced law, specializing in commercial litigation. Her journalism work has been recognized by the Overseas Press Club, the Society of International Journalists, the Society of American Business Editors and Writers and others. Katie has a master’s degree in investigative journalism from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, an LLM in international rule of law and security from ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, a J.D. from Duquesne University, and was a History of Art and Architecture major at the University of Pittsburgh. Katie lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

One Earth One Chance 

 www.oneearthonechance.com