From July 8 to 13, 2024, the Science Panel for the Amazon (SPA) actively participated in the 76th Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society for the Advancement of Science (SBPC) at the Federal University of Pará in Belém, Brazil. This event, with the theme “Science for a Sustainable and Inclusive Future: For a New Social Contract with Nature,” provided a dynamic forum for the SPA to engage with the scientific community and the public.
As part of the ExpoT&C area, the SPA had a dedicated booth which served as a hub for disseminating key messages and recommendations through various printed materials, digital content, and engaging videos. The SPA team, including members of the Secretariat and student monitors, interacted with over a thousand visitors, providing insights into SPA’s mission and ongoing projects. The interactive trivia game based on SPA’s online course, “The Living Amazon: Science, Cultures, and Sustainability in Practice,” attracted significant interest and engagement, fostering a deeper understanding of Amazonian science. The booth also featured a display of SPA’s Policy Briefs, offering visitors a comprehensive overview of SPA’s scientific work and policy recommendations.
The SPA stand welcomed many of our SPA Authors, including SPA Co-Chair, Carlos Nobre, Larissa Chermont, Philip Fearnside, Joice Ferreira Nunes, Ayan Santos Fleischmann, Adalberto Val, and Carlos Eduardo Young. Their presence highlighted the collaborative nature of SPA’s work and allowed attendees to engage directly with leading experts in Amazonian science , conservation and sustainable development.
A significant outcome of the SPA’s participation at the SBPC meeting was the enthusiasm shown by young students for the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) recruitment process. Many visitors expressed keen interest in applying, underscoring the importance of involving youth in Amazonian conservation efforts.
The “Mesa-Redonda” event held on July 12, titled “Ways to Move the Amazon Away from a Tipping Point with a New Socio-Bioeconomy of Healthy Standing Forests and Flowing Rivers” was one of the highlights of the SPA participation. This roundtable discussion featured SPA authors who addressed key issues, such as climate change, deforestation, and land grabbing, as well as essential nature-based solutions, such as a socio-bioeconomy of healthy standing forests and flowing rivers in the Amazon. The panel of scientists included:
- Francisco de Assis Costa (SPA Lead Author) – Discussing the drivers of land markets and illegality
- Carlos Nobre (SPA Co-Chair) – Highlighting climate change and tipping points
- Joice Ferreira (SPA Lead Author) – Focusing on socio-bioeconomy
- Harley Silva (University of Pará) – Analyzing the role of urban centers in the construction of a socio-bioeconomy
The discussion delved into the risks associated with tipping points, the underlying factors driving unsustainable land markets and illegal activities, and the need for the development of a new socio-bioeconomy based on sustainable infrastructure, forest restoration, and inclusive planning involving local populations. The session drew from policy briefs prepared by SPA scientists, available here. The Mesa-Redonda convened over 300 participants in-person, with additional online participants. The lively Q&A session allowed for a robust exchange of ideas, highlighting the need for integrated approaches to address the Amazon’s complex challenges.
The 76th SBPC meeting saw record-breaking participation with over 27,500 registered attendees and an overall estimated attendance exceeding 50,000 participants, including non-registered visitors. The event featured more than 200 lectures, 300 roundtable discussions, and a myriad of workshops, symposia, and cultural activities. For the Science Panel for the Amazon (SPA), this gathering provided a key opportunity to enhance its visibility and impact. The SPA’s presence at this influential event not only underscored the critical role of scientific dissemination and public engagement, but also allowed for direct interaction with a diverse audience. This engagement is vital for promoting sustainable development in the Amazon, as it facilitates the exchange of knowledge and ideas between scientists, educators, students, and the general public, to advance science-based solutions in the region.