In the second season of Wildfire, we’re shifting our perspective from fires in the forests of the American west to those taking place in the Amazon rainforest alongside a story of violence and heroism.
On December 22nd 1988 in the town of Xapuri, Brazil a man named Chico Mendes was shot and killed at his home. He was killed for trying to protect the rainforest from the fires that were burning at an increasing rate; fires that were turning one of the most complex ecosystems in the world into cow pastures.
In this season of Wildfire, hosts Jim Aikman and Graham Zimmerman look into the story of Chico Mendes—who he was, what he was fighting for, and how his legacy lives on. It's a story filled with intrigue and violence but also hope, both for the Amazon and for humankind.
This 6-part series is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you listen to podcasts.
In the second season of Wildfire, we’re shifting our perspective from fires in the forests of the American West to those taking place in the Amazon Rainforest alongside a story of violence and heroism.
Denise Zmekhol
“Imagine knowing that you're going to be killed, that there's no way that you're not going to be killed.”
On December 22nd of 1988, it was a rainy evening in the small town of Xapuri - when a man named Chico Mendes was shot and killed at his home. He was murdered in cold blood by two gunmen hiding out in the dark foliage.
He was killed for trying to protect the rainforest from the fires that were burning at an increasing rate; fires that were turning one of the most complex ecosystems in the world into cow pastures.
This man is one that we should all remember, but few of us do.
Chico was a man who came from humble beginnings. He grew up in the forest as a rubber tapper, harvesting natural latex from the trees to be sold on world markets.
It was a challenging existence, lacking in educational opportunities and rife with oppression.
But at an early age, he set off on a quest to save the forest - and the people within it.
Stephan Schwartzman:
"I explained if you come with us and help set this off, what's that going to mean for you? Is this going to put you in more danger than you're already in"? And Chico immediately responded, "Look, what's going on here is a war. It can't get any worse. Let's go".
On this journey, he found support, from his fellow tappers, indigenous tribes, and the global environmental movement. But for every friend he made, he also made enemies.
In this season your hosts Jim Aikman and me, Graham Zimmerman, will head down to the Brazilian Amazon in order to investigate the life and murder of Chico Mendes.
While working to better understand why the rainforest is being burned and what it means for the future of our planet.
And it’s important to understand that these fires that are not a natural part of the ecosystem but rather are being set by nefarious developers.
Denise Zmekhol:
then you go like, "Wow, what's going on here? They're just destroying all this magic and they're creating a nightmare for people living there.
Denise Zmekhol:
It's totally lawless.
This journey will take us onto Rubber Tapping reserves and into indigenous villages where we will have conversations with locals who knew Chico, indigenous leaders who were inspired by him, and the conservationists seeking to find ways to protect the forest from fire.
It’s a story filled with intrigue and violence but also hope, both for the Amazon and for humankind.
Denise Zmekhol:
“Chico's legacy is beyond any legacy I've seen in all those years in the Amazon. I think just his vision of uniting people instead of fighting for his own struggle, I think that was very unique and powerful.”
We invite you to join us, for Wildfire, Season 2. You can find the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.