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illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Deutsche Welle or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: A total of 196 environmental defenders were killed globally in 2023, with Colombia ranked as the deadliest country for the second consecutive year, according to a Global Witness report
• Colombia alone accounted for 79 murders, followed by Brazil, Honduras, and Mexico
🔭 The context: Latin America remains the most dangerous region for environmental activists, with 85% of the global killings happening there
• Socio-environmental conflicts, linked to drug trafficking and extractive industries, drive much of the violence, especially in Colombia’s southwestern regions
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The continued targeting of environmental defenders undermines global efforts to protect biodiversity, combat climate change, and ensure sustainable development, especially in critical ecosystems like the Amazon
⏭️ What's next: Governments are urged to take stronger measures to protect environmental activists and address the root causes of violence, while international pressure builds for accountability and reforms
💬 One quote: "Governments cannot stand idly by; they must take decisive action to protect defenders," said Laura Furones, lead author at Global Witness
📈 One stat: 85% of environmental defender killings in 2023 occurred in Latin America
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