Pedro Abreu

Brazilian environmental activist who pioneered grassroots Amazon rainforest conservation

Pedro Abreu (1921–1997) was a Brazilian environmentalist whose unconventional methods to protect the Amazon rainforest laid the groundwork for modern ecological activism in South America. Unlike mainstream conservationists of his time, Abreu focused on empowering indigenous communities to combat illegal logging and mining through education and non-violent resistance.

In the 1950s, Abreu established the Guardians of the Forest, a coalition of tribal leaders and local farmers. He documented indigenous land rights violations using early photography and smuggled evidence to international NGOs, which pressured Brazil's government to create protected zones. His UNEP-backed campaigns in the 1970s exposed the catastrophic effects of deforestation, leading to the first Amazon Sustainability Treaty (1985).

Abreu's advocacy blended cultural preservation with environmentalism, inspiring later movements like seringueiro activism. Despite assassination threats, he refused armed protection, stating: Our strength lies in unity, not weapons.