The struggle to defend Amazonia and against scientific negacionism: interview with Philip Fearnside

Abstract

In this interview, Philip Fearnside, member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, one of the most respected and cited scientists in environmental science in the world, tells us about his long trajectory dedicated to the defence of the environment in general and of the Amazon in particular. He wrote some works that are a reference on the socio-environmental risks of opening roads in certain areas that are coveted for economic purposes. Fearnside is also a reference when it comes to resistance to the construction of dams for energy generation in the Amazon, like Belo Monte. His defence of these ideas has already cost him attacks from representatives of political interests favourable to the economic exploitation of the Amazon. In this interview, he answers about the role of scientists against climate negacionism and misinformation, a theme that Fearnside himself has already addressed in his vast work