Earth Day, celebrated this Tuesday, is a global reminder to reflect on the health of our planet. And right now, there’s no sugarcoating it—the biosphere’s vital signs are concerning. The past decade has been the hottest on record. Droughts, wildfires, and hurricanes are growing more intense. The climate crisis feels more real than ever. 

But in the heart of the Amazon, we’re holding on to something powerful: optimism. 

At the Amazon Conservation Team (ACT), alongside our Indigenous partners, we believe protecting the planet starts with protecting the Amazon and its cultures. And despite the daunting headlines, we’re finding reasons to stay optimistic—because together, we’re making real, tangible progress. 

Here’s the good news you can use …

Protecting Isolated Indigenous Peoples and the Rainforest  

As the Technical Secretariat for the International Working Group of Indigenous Peoples in Isolation and Initial Contact, ACT supports the protection of 185 isolated Indigenous groups across 1.2 million acres. A major recent win: the official recognition of 15 isolated groups and a presidential decree safeguarding 3.5 million acres in the Yuri-Passé territory in Colombia. 

Coastal Conservation, Guided by Ancestral Wisdom 

Our Ancestral Tides Program has empowered five Indigenous-led sea turtle conservation groups. Their work is yielding incredible results: a 95% hatching success rate and over 100,000 hatchlings protected each year at critical nesting sites. 

Clean Energy and Better Health for Amazonian Communities 

In the Northwest Amazon, ACT delivered 356 solar lamps to 34 remote communities—benefiting more than 1,500 people and slashing household energy costs by two-thirds. We’ve also installed solar energy systems in five health posts and at the Indigenous association (CRIMA) headquarters. 

On the health front, we trained 27 Indigenous nursing technicians and built 17 new health posts in Brazil and Suriname, ensuring life-saving care reaches even the most isolated areas. 

Sustainable Livelihoods Rooted in Tradition 

Stingless bees play a critical role in the culture and ecosystems across the Amazon region. In the Guianas, ACT’s support for stingless beekeeping—meliponiculture—has helped communities boost honey production by 250%. Community profits have soared by 300%, illustrating how traditional knowledge can underpin economic resilience. 

This Earth Day, we’re reminded that every act of conservation counts—and that optimism is rooted in action. The Amazon is not just a rainforest. It’s a living example of how Indigenous leadership, ancestral wisdom, and modern solutions can work together to heal the planet.