The Prophetic Urgency of Integral Ecology
We are living in critical times for humanity, where the choices we make today will profoundly impact on the future of our Common Home. The Amazon, a vital lung of the planet and home to numerous Indigenous peoples and traditional communities, faces constant threats from expanding extractive activities—now disguised as “superficial greening solutions.” This concept, which appears to be a pathway toward sustainability, still operates under the same exploitative logic that has devastated the Amazon and its peoples for centuries.
Five years after the publication of Querida Amazonia, we continue to see that this document remains as relevant as ever—a love letter and an ecclesial commitment to the Amazonian peoples. It reminds us that true conversion does not lie in well-intentioned statements but in the concrete action of a Church that walks with them, listens to them, and recognizes them as protagonists of their own destiny. Querida Amazonia has planted seeds that continue to grow, strengthening a more synodal, incarnate, and justice-committed ecclesial model.
At the Amazon University Program (PUAM), we understand that the challenge of integral justice is not only environmental but also social, cultural, and ecclesial. Inspired by the vision of Laudato Si’ and the spirit of Querida Amazonia, we accompany processes of formation and empowerment so that the people themselves become active agents of transformation. This reflection addresses some of the contradictions of greenwashing and extractivism in the Amazon disguised as sustainability, calling for an urgent response from both the Church and society.
1. Superficial Greening Solutions: A False Response to the Ecological Crisis
The so-called “green transition” promotes renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, as well as technologies like electric vehicles, which, while less harmful than fossil fuels, still require massive extraction of minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. This model continues to rely on the intensive exploitation of nature, particularly in fragile biomes like the Amazon. PUAM’s reflections align with Pope Francis’ critique in Laudate Deum, where he denounces the failure of international negotiations to address the structural causes of ecological devastation (LD, 54-57).
Beyond extractivism, superficial greening solutions include corporate and governmental initiatives that promote an environmentalist discourse while continuing unsustainable practices. Many companies claim to be “carbon neutral” by offsetting emissions through reforestation projects that neither restore biodiversity nor respect Indigenous rights. Others bet on geoengineering, which does not address structural climate injustices. This greenwashing deceives the public into believing progress is being made when, in reality, the same exploitation and destruction of ecosystems and communities persist.
PUAM seeks to accompany Amazonian communities in their resistance, as it becomes increasingly evident that these false solutions are merely more sophisticated versions of the same colonial logic of domination. The key is not just changing policies but embracing a deep ecological conversion that places life, dignity, and justice at the center.
2. The Amazon: Sacred Territory and Moral Challenge
The Amazon is not only an ecological treasure but also a sacred territory, where Indigenous peoples—including those in voluntary isolation—embody profound wisdom about living in harmony with creation. As Laudate Deum highlights, the most vulnerable suffer the most severe consequences of environmental degradation (LD, 3). The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), in collaboration with the Pan-Amazonian Ecclesial Network (REPAM) (2019), documents systematic violations of Indigenous rights, particularly land dispossession and the criminalization of Indigenous leaders.
The case of the Munduruku people in Brazil, who have resisted hydroelectric projects on the Tapajós River, is emblematic. Presented as renewable energy sources, these dams threaten sacred territories and ancestral ways of life. Laudato Si’ warns against “modern anthropocentrism,” which ignores Indigenous wisdom and treats nature as an object of exploitation (LS, 115).
At PUAM, we promote territorial educational programs that integrate Indigenous knowledge, Catholic social teaching, and scientific research. This education is key to deconstructing colonial paradigms and fostering a new way of inhabiting the Amazon, rooted in community self-determination and ecological justice.
3. Criminalization of Land Defenders: An Open Wound in the Amazon
The Church in the Amazon has denounced the persecution of Indigenous leaders and environmental defenders. The murder of Paulo Paulino Guajajara in Brazil in 2019—shortly after the Synod Assembly in Rome—is just one example of the dangers faced by those who defend their territories. Laudato Si’ reminds us that the struggle for climate justice is inseparable from the struggle for human dignity:
“Indifference or cruelty toward the rest of creation always sooner or later affects the way we treat other human beings” (LS, 92).
The Church must take on a more prophetic role, denouncing these injustices and accompanying communities in their struggles. Catholic universities have a moral responsibility to expose the contradictions of green capitalism and advocate for systemic changes. Through PUAM’s community learning centers, we seek to train new generations of community leaders committed to integral ecology and human rights defense.
4. An Irreversible Ecclesial Conversion
Five years after Querida Amazonia, the Church in the Amazon has changed—and there is no turning back. The creation of the Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon (CEAMA) is a direct fruit of this synodal path. This body connects regional institutions such as CELAM, CLAR, Caritas, and REPAM, with strong representation from Indigenous peoples, continuing to advance the dream of a Church that walks alongside the world’s discarded.
Another hopeful sign is PUAM, which embodies Pope Francis’ call in the Global Compact on Education for a new paradigm of higher education, one that makes Indigenous peoples the subjects of their own transformation.
The winds of the Spirit continue to flow from the Amazon, and they are good news for the entire Universal Church.
Final reflection: The Amazon as a Test of Our Faith
The Amazon is not just a territory in conflict over environmental justice, it is also a spiritual challenge that tests the credibility of our faith. The Church’s response cannot remain in mere statements; it must translate into concrete actions that defend life in all its forms. As Laudato Si’ reminds us:
“We need to strengthen the conviction that we are one single human family” (LS, 52).
PUAM remains committed to this urgent call, serving as a bridge between faith and action, between tradition and transformation. Defending the Amazon is defending life itself. On this journey, we are called to be contemplatives and prophets, witnesses to a new way of inhabiting our Common Home.
Join Us: TOGETHER FOR THE AMAZON, TOGETHER FOR THE FUTURE
The urgency of this situation calls for concrete action. We invite you to support our campaign “TOGETHER FOR THE AMAZON, TOGETHER FOR THE FUTURE” as a way to assist our ongoing efforts. Your contribution will help us continue accompanying Indigenous communities, fostering intercultural education, and defending their rights in the face of extractivist threats. Every donation makes a difference in sustaining these vital efforts. To learn more and support PUAM, visit puam.org/en/take-action and join us in building a future where justice, dignity, and life remain at the center.