Mundano’s Mural: A Call to Action Against Climate Change
Brazilian artist Mundano has created a large mural in Sao Paulo using materials sourced from climate disasters, such as ash from wildfires and mud from floods, to highlight the impacts of climate change and deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. The mural features Indigenous activist Alessandra Korap and calls for corporate accountability from Cargill, a significant soy producer. Mundano’s work underscores the urgent need for action against environmental exploitation and is a plea for the regeneration of natural ecosystems.
Mundano, a Brazilian artist and activist, recently unveiled an impactful mural in Sao Paulo intended to raise awareness about the dire consequences of climate change. Utilizing materials such as ash and mud sourced from various environmental disasters, he crafted a thought-provoking image that spans over 30 meters high and 48 meters wide. The mural starkly portrays the devastation wrought by climate change, illustrating cracked brown land and burned trees that signify deforestation and severe drought conditions afflicting the Amazon rainforest. Prominently featured in the mural is Indigenous activist Alessandra Korap, adorned with a floral crown, holding a banner that reads: “Stop the destruction keepyourpromise.” This message specifically calls out Cargill, a significant soybean producer in the United States, due to its role in the deforestation crisis driven by extensive soy farming in the Amazon. Cargill has publicly committed to eliminating deforestation within its supply chain across Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay by the year 2025; however, critics like Mundano emphasize the need for corporate accountability. In an interview, Mundano expressed his frustration regarding the exploitation of Brazil’s natural resources, stating that “We are tired of being a country, a continent where we and the natural resources we have here are exploited. … We have to regenerate our planet instead of destroying it.” The urgency of the mural is underscored by the recent increase in human-induced wildfires that have devastated protected areas in the Amazon, Pantanal, and Cerrado regions. These environmental crises have had alarming effects on air quality and have exacerbated ongoing drought conditions across Brazil, with forecasts indicating continued severe weather patterns into the coming months. Mundano’s mural also draws attention to the struggles faced by communities impacted by natural disasters, as evidenced by earlier floods in Rio Grande do Sul, which resulted in over 180 fatalities and affected millions. For his latest project, Mundano utilized mud from those floods, ash from wildfires, and earth collected from various sources throughout Sao Paulo and the Amazon. His previous work, completed three years ago, similarly employed ashes from the Amazon to illustrate the troubling relationship between environmental destruction and agriculture, featuring imagery of deforested landscapes and livestock farming practices that exacerbate ecological degradation. Through this striking mural, Mundano aims to foster dialogue on environmental sustainability and the urgent need for both corporate and individual action to address the looming threat of climate change and its extensive ramifications across Brazil and beyond.
The mural created by artist Mundano serves as a critical commentary on the escalating climate crisis that Brazil faces, highlighted by increasingly severe weather-related disasters. Brazil’s Amazon rainforest, vital for global ecology, has been a focal point for discussions on deforestation primarily driven by agricultural practices, particularly soybean farming. Corporations like Cargill, which are heavily involved in the global soy supply chain, are under scrutiny for their environmental impact and for their commitments to sustainability amid growing public pressure from activists. The effects of climate change, including droughts and floods, have not only impacted environmental integrity but have also affected vulnerable populations, demanding urgent attention and action from both the government and the private sector.
Mundano’s mural significantly contributes to the ongoing discourse surrounding climate action and the responsibility of major corporations in combating environmental degradation. By utilizing materials directly connected to the negative impacts of climate change, Mundano embodies the interconnectedness of natural disasters and calls for accountability from entities like Cargill. The artwork serves not only as a visual representation of ecological despair but also as a hopeful message urging for regeneration and collective responsibility to protect the planet.
Original Source: learningenglish.voanews.com
