Defending Tomorrow: The climate crisis and threats against land and environmental defenders
A record 212 people who defend our land and environment were killed last year, reports Global Witness - an international NGO dedicated to preventing extractive industries from infringing on human rights. This is an average of more than four people a week. Shockingly, over half of all reported killings last year occurred in two countries: Colombia and the Philippines. Reports show that the murder of community and social leaders has risen dramatically in Colombia in recent years. The Philippines has become even deadlier for activists since 2018, having been consistently named as one of the worst places in Asia for attacks against defenders. Mining was the deadliest sector, with 50 defenders killed in 2019. Agribusiness continues to wreak destruction, with 34 defenders killed, and 85% of such attacks recorded in Asia. And logging was the sector with the highest increase in killings globally since 2018, with 85% more attacks recorded against defenders opposing the industry and 24 defenders killed in 2019.
