Prince William Calls for Global Action to Safeguard Amazon Defenders

On November 5th, 2025, Prince William used his platform to call for global action to protect indigenous communities and environmental defenders who are facing increasing threats. During his tour of Brazil, the future king spoke passionately about the urgent need to address the nature crisis fueled by climate change and environmental crime.

As part of his Earthshot Prize initiative, which is expanding to Latin America, William announced a new partnership to support those defending the Amazon. In the past year, over 1.7 million hectares of the Amazon were cleared in Brazil, much of it driven by illicit activity. The Prince emphasized that these losses are not just environmental, but existential for indigenous peoples, as their ancestral lands and sacred sites are destroyed.

William paid tribute to the courageous environmental protectors who are putting their lives on the line, noting that Latin America recorded 120 such defenders killed or disappeared in 2024 - over 80% of all such cases worldwide. He stressed that these are not just statistics, but real people taking enormous risks to safeguard the planet we all depend on.

The Prince's visit to the Guapimirim mangroves in Brazil highlighted the vital conservation work being done by local communities, including a team of Mangrove "Guardians" from the island of Paquetá. William emphasized that indigenous peoples and local communities are essential partners in the fight to protect nature, and their solutions must be recognized and supported.