Rainforest Labs:

Empowering Indigenous Communities to Create a Sustainable Rainforest Future

The climate crisis is a threat to all life on Earth.

But those at the frontline of the crisis suffer the most, like Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. With temperatures hitting new highs yearly, the recurrence of wildfires and natural disasters has had life-threatening impacts on ecosystems and livelihoods. 

Cadasta StoryMap Perú

 The Amazon Rainforest covers more than 8 countries; our work focuses on communities in Peru.  

Protecting the Amazon Rainforest with Real-time Data

Spanning over 6 million square kilometers across eight countries in South America, the Amazon rainforest is considered the most biodiverse place on Earth. It supports the livelihoods of 30 million people and is an ecosystem we cannot afford to lose. Its protection is fundamental. 

The Amazon rainforest covers 60% of the Peruvian territory. More than a quarter of the population identifies as part of the 55 Indigenous nations in the country. Despite their historical role in protecting ecosystems, they face significant inequalities. According to the 2017 census, 2.9 percent of Indigenous communities in Peru have internet access; and 0.5 percent have cell phone service.

This Cool Earth and Cadasta Foundation collaboration was born to address these issues by providing rainforest villages with the tools, technology, and data they need to document, monitor, and protect the Amazon rainforest.

Rainforest Labs:

For Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities to have control over their futures, access to real-time data about their lands is absolutely vital. Rainforest Labs bridges a crucial information gap by coupling Indigenous knowledge with tools, training, and technology to manage and protect their Amazonian territories effectively.

RainForest Labs is a bespoke software solution developed by Cool Earth and Cadasta Foundation. It puts land-use data into the hands of the Indigenous communities that need it most. Each Rainforest Lab equips communities with essential resources like computers, tablets, wifi, digital devices, solar energy, and a base of operations.

Working with Awajún and Asháninka communities in Peru, Cool Earth, and Cadasta collaborate to train and empower these communities with survey design, mapping, and dashboard development. With real-time data, satellite information, and biodiversity monitoring, these communities are better equipped to combat challenges such as land invasion, drug trafficking, and illegal logging.

Cadasta StoryMap Perú

 Cadasta and Cool Earth working in two Indigenous Communities in Peru, highlighted above.  

The Impact

Cadasta StoryMap Perú

 Provincial borders demonstrating where we work as we all the location of our regional offices.  

The Organizations Behind Rainforest Labs 

Founded in 2015, Cadasta develops and promotes the use of simple digital tools and technology to help partners efficiently document, analyze, store, and share critical land and resource rights information. By creating an accessible digital record of land, property, and resource rights, we help empower individuals, communities, organizations, governments, and businesses with the information they need to make data-driven decisions and put vulnerable communities and their needs on the map.

Learn more: Cadasta.org

Founded in 2007, Cool Earth gives no-strings cash directly to rainforest communities so that they have the autonomy and flexibility to address the ever-changing threats to their livelihoods and lands. By tackling the severe social injustices faced by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, they will be able to address the root causes of deforestation, protect vital carbon sinks, and shape the rainforest of the future.

Learn more: Coolearth.org

 

Cadasta Foundation | Cool Earth

2023

Founded in 2015, Cadasta develops and promotes the use of simple digital tools and technology to help partners efficiently document, analyze, store, and share critical land and resource rights information. By creating an accessible digital record of land, property, and resource rights, we help empower individuals, communities, organizations, governments, and businesses with the information they need to make data-driven decisions and put vulnerable communities and their needs on the map.

Founded in 2007, Cool Earth gives no-strings cash directly to rainforest communities so that they have the autonomy and flexibility to address the ever-changing threats to their livelihoods and lands. By tackling the severe social injustices faced by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, they will be able to address the root causes of deforestation, protect vital carbon sinks, and shape the rainforest of the future.