Richard Pearshouse
@richardpearshouse.bsky.social
Director, Environment Division @hrw.org
Pinned
Brazil: Courts Protect Land Rights in the Amazon
Brazilian judicial authorities in two important recent rulings, affirmed the rights of small landholders and Indigenous peoples in the Brazilian Amazon and called on federal authorities to remove ille...
www.hrw.org
A significant moment for rights protection in Brazil's Amazon:
Two landmark court rulings in Brazil have affirmed the rights of Indigenous peoples + small farmers in the Amazon, ordering federal authorities to remove the illegal cattle ranchers driving deforestation in protected areas.
Two landmark court rulings in Brazil have affirmed the rights of Indigenous peoples + small farmers in the Amazon, ordering federal authorities to remove the illegal cattle ranchers driving deforestation in protected areas.
A significant moment for rights protection in Brazil's Amazon:
Two landmark court rulings in Brazil have affirmed the rights of Indigenous peoples + small farmers in the Amazon, ordering federal authorities to remove the illegal cattle ranchers driving deforestation in protected areas.
Two landmark court rulings in Brazil have affirmed the rights of Indigenous peoples + small farmers in the Amazon, ordering federal authorities to remove the illegal cattle ranchers driving deforestation in protected areas.
Brazil: Courts Protect Land Rights in the Amazon
Brazilian judicial authorities in two important recent rulings, affirmed the rights of small landholders and Indigenous peoples in the Brazilian Amazon and called on federal authorities to remove ille...
www.hrw.org
June 18, 2026 at 11:11 AM
A significant moment for rights protection in Brazil's Amazon:
Two landmark court rulings in Brazil have affirmed the rights of Indigenous peoples + small farmers in the Amazon, ordering federal authorities to remove the illegal cattle ranchers driving deforestation in protected areas.
Two landmark court rulings in Brazil have affirmed the rights of Indigenous peoples + small farmers in the Amazon, ordering federal authorities to remove the illegal cattle ranchers driving deforestation in protected areas.
Reposted by Richard Pearshouse
Philippine authorities relocating communities displaced in 2021 by Typhoon Odette have ignored the rights of residents, especially those with disabilities.
In a new report, HRW explores how people with disabilities experience climate-related risks.
In a new report, HRW explores how people with disabilities experience climate-related risks.
Philippines: Planned Climate Relocations Threaten Rights
Philippine authorities relocating communities displaced in 2021 by Typhoon Odette have ignored the rights of residents, especially those with disabilities.
www.hrw.org
February 20, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Philippine authorities relocating communities displaced in 2021 by Typhoon Odette have ignored the rights of residents, especially those with disabilities.
In a new report, HRW explores how people with disabilities experience climate-related risks.
In a new report, HRW explores how people with disabilities experience climate-related risks.
Cattle ranching is the leading driver of deforestation in Brazil + traceability is essential to stop deforestation and protect local communities.
Postponing Pará’s cattle traceability system until 2030 weakens transparency and allows deforestation-linked beef to keep flowing through supply chains.
Postponing Pará’s cattle traceability system until 2030 weakens transparency and allows deforestation-linked beef to keep flowing through supply chains.
Delay on Tracing Cattle Endangers Brazil’s Amazon
January 2026 was meant to be when the government of the Brazilian state of Pará would roll out a new system, initially announced in 2023, to ensure the traceability of all cattle across its vast herd.
www.hrw.org
January 29, 2026 at 7:24 PM
Cattle ranching is the leading driver of deforestation in Brazil + traceability is essential to stop deforestation and protect local communities.
Postponing Pará’s cattle traceability system until 2030 weakens transparency and allows deforestation-linked beef to keep flowing through supply chains.
Postponing Pará’s cattle traceability system until 2030 weakens transparency and allows deforestation-linked beef to keep flowing through supply chains.
Governments are seldom this brazen when obscuring the true costs of air pollution.
On January 12, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will stop assigning economic value to lives saved and illnesses avoided when considering air pollution controls.
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
On January 12, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will stop assigning economic value to lives saved and illnesses avoided when considering air pollution controls.
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
US Will Stop Considering Pollution’s Cost to Health
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on January 12 that it will no longer ascribe an economic value to saving lives and improving public health when considering whether to...
www.hrw.org
January 16, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Governments are seldom this brazen when obscuring the true costs of air pollution.
On January 12, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will stop assigning economic value to lives saved and illnesses avoided when considering air pollution controls.
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
On January 12, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will stop assigning economic value to lives saved and illnesses avoided when considering air pollution controls.
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
By retreating from international climate cooperation, the US undermines global efforts to safeguard rights and weakens its own capacity to protect people —especially those already most vulnerable — from the worsening impacts of climate change, including within its own borders.
Trump withdraws US from key climate treaty and dozens of other groups
The White House says the decision was taken because those entities "no longer serve American interests".
www.bbc.com
January 9, 2026 at 9:03 AM
By retreating from international climate cooperation, the US undermines global efforts to safeguard rights and weakens its own capacity to protect people —especially those already most vulnerable — from the worsening impacts of climate change, including within its own borders.
New @hrw.org report: UK authorities have severely restricted the right to protest.
A stark illustration of the escalating crackdown is the case of 5 Just Stop Oil activists who, in July 2024, were sentenced to between 2 and 5 years in prison for merely joining a Zoom call to plan a protest.
A stark illustration of the escalating crackdown is the case of 5 Just Stop Oil activists who, in July 2024, were sentenced to between 2 and 5 years in prison for merely joining a Zoom call to plan a protest.
UK: Protest Crackdowns Undermine Democracy
UK authorities have severely restricted the right to protest, in contravention of their international human rights obligations, creating an environment in which peaceful dissent is increasingly treate...
www.hrw.org
January 8, 2026 at 4:08 PM
New @hrw.org report: UK authorities have severely restricted the right to protest.
A stark illustration of the escalating crackdown is the case of 5 Just Stop Oil activists who, in July 2024, were sentenced to between 2 and 5 years in prison for merely joining a Zoom call to plan a protest.
A stark illustration of the escalating crackdown is the case of 5 Just Stop Oil activists who, in July 2024, were sentenced to between 2 and 5 years in prison for merely joining a Zoom call to plan a protest.
Reposted by Richard Pearshouse
#Bulgaria has delayed its exit from coal, trailing behind most EU countries in its transition, and risking breach of new #EU air quality standards. Fresh @hrw.org report shows this contributes to serious health harms, esp for children. It may cost Bulgaria EU funds too. www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
Bulgaria: Delayed Coal Phaseout Fuels Health Harm
Bulgaria’s delayed decommissioning of coal-fired power plants contributes to dangerous air pollution, risks breaching new air quality standards, and is slowing down the country’s transition away from ...
www.hrw.org
December 8, 2025 at 10:30 AM
#Bulgaria has delayed its exit from coal, trailing behind most EU countries in its transition, and risking breach of new #EU air quality standards. Fresh @hrw.org report shows this contributes to serious health harms, esp for children. It may cost Bulgaria EU funds too. www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
Despite clear—and powerful—calls from civil society for the #COP30 summit to take bolder steps on climate change and to uphold human rights, the summit failed to make any real progress on the two issues key to stabilising greenhouse gas concentrations: fossil fuels + deforestation.
COP30 Fails to Confront Drivers of Climate Crisis
In Belem, Brazil, as United Nations climate summit (COP30) convened, I marched alongside thousands of activists and Indigenous peoples calling on governments to urgently address climate change and pro...
www.hrw.org
November 24, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Despite clear—and powerful—calls from civil society for the #COP30 summit to take bolder steps on climate change and to uphold human rights, the summit failed to make any real progress on the two issues key to stabilising greenhouse gas concentrations: fossil fuels + deforestation.
Push-back on the latest #COP30 draft:
“We cannot support an outcome that does not include a roadmap for implementing a just, orderly, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.”
“We cannot support an outcome that does not include a roadmap for implementing a just, orderly, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.”
30-plus nations oppose COP30 draft over fossil fuel omission: Colombia
More than 30 countries have co-signed a letter opposing Brazil's draft proposal at the UN climate conference because it fails to include a roadmap phasing out fossil fuels, the Colombian delegation to...
www.france24.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Push-back on the latest #COP30 draft:
“We cannot support an outcome that does not include a roadmap for implementing a just, orderly, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.”
“We cannot support an outcome that does not include a roadmap for implementing a just, orderly, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.”
Here in Belém, we’re into the last hours of #COP30.
It’s our hope @hrw.org the way Indigenous Peoples have made their presence felt throughout this COP will spur a global commitment towards protecting climate-critical forests, Indigenous Peoples + other forest-dependent communities:
It’s our hope @hrw.org the way Indigenous Peoples have made their presence felt throughout this COP will spur a global commitment towards protecting climate-critical forests, Indigenous Peoples + other forest-dependent communities:
COP30 Should Accelerate Anti-Deforestation Efforts
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva began this year's COP30 summit by announcing a global investment fund to pay tropical forest countries to keep trees standing.
www.hrw.org
November 20, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Reposted by Richard Pearshouse
As the world comes together to tackle the climate crisis at #COP30 in Brazil, its Congress is considering proposals that would exacerbate it.
Those measures could severely impact the Amazon, which is critical for global climate.
Those measures could severely impact the Amazon, which is critical for global climate.
Brazil: Don’t Strip Protection of Environment, Defenders
Brazil’s Congress should reject proposals to dismantle environmental licensing requirements and to revoke a plan to protect human rights defenders.
www.hrw.org
November 19, 2025 at 7:58 PM
As the world comes together to tackle the climate crisis at #COP30 in Brazil, its Congress is considering proposals that would exacerbate it.
Those measures could severely impact the Amazon, which is critical for global climate.
Those measures could severely impact the Amazon, which is critical for global climate.
As the world comes together to tackle the climate crisis at #COP30 in Brazil, its Congress is considering proposals to dismantle environmental licensing requirements + to revoke a plan to protect human rights defenders.
Brazil’s Congress should reject these proposals:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Brazil’s Congress should reject these proposals:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Brazil: Don’t Strip Protection of Environment, Defenders
Brazil’s Congress should reject proposals to dismantle environmental licensing requirements and to revoke a plan to protect human rights defenders.
www.hrw.org
November 19, 2025 at 10:41 AM
As the world comes together to tackle the climate crisis at #COP30 in Brazil, its Congress is considering proposals to dismantle environmental licensing requirements + to revoke a plan to protect human rights defenders.
Brazil’s Congress should reject these proposals:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Brazil’s Congress should reject these proposals:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Richard Pearshouse
Brazil's President Lula has said #COP30 is the COP of truth — "so it must be the truth when it comes to recognizing the titling of Indigenous territories as a climate mitigation measure.”
Secure land rights are crucial for the survival of Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities. Learn more ⤵️
Secure land rights are crucial for the survival of Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities. Learn more ⤵️
November 13, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Brazil's President Lula has said #COP30 is the COP of truth — "so it must be the truth when it comes to recognizing the titling of Indigenous territories as a climate mitigation measure.”
Secure land rights are crucial for the survival of Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities. Learn more ⤵️
Secure land rights are crucial for the survival of Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities. Learn more ⤵️
A reminder that while plenty of people (rightly) call for a phase out of fossil fuels at #COP30, last week a court in Uganda put 12 activists on trial on charges stemming from their protests against the planned East African Crude Oil Pipeline (#EACOP).
Charges against them should be dropped.
Charges against them should be dropped.
Uganda Continues Targeting Fossil Fuel Activists
On November 6, a court in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, gave the go-ahead for the trial of twelve activists, eight of whom are students.
www.hrw.org
November 12, 2025 at 5:19 PM
A reminder that while plenty of people (rightly) call for a phase out of fossil fuels at #COP30, last week a court in Uganda put 12 activists on trial on charges stemming from their protests against the planned East African Crude Oil Pipeline (#EACOP).
Charges against them should be dropped.
Charges against them should be dropped.
Reposted by Richard Pearshouse
Imagine having to leave your home due to sea level rise and other climate impacts.
Many communities are facing this difficult choice.
@myrtotilianaki.bsky.social is at #COP30, where HRW is pushing for community-centered climate policies ⤵️
Many communities are facing this difficult choice.
@myrtotilianaki.bsky.social is at #COP30, where HRW is pushing for community-centered climate policies ⤵️
November 12, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Imagine having to leave your home due to sea level rise and other climate impacts.
Many communities are facing this difficult choice.
@myrtotilianaki.bsky.social is at #COP30, where HRW is pushing for community-centered climate policies ⤵️
Many communities are facing this difficult choice.
@myrtotilianaki.bsky.social is at #COP30, where HRW is pushing for community-centered climate policies ⤵️
Climate COPs are, essentially, an opportunity to better align govt actions with their rhetoric.
So as #COP30 begins in Brazil's Amazon, @hrw.org is drawing attention to the Terra Nossa settlement, where a federal agency plans to hand over a large area of the rainforest to illegal cattle ranches:
So as #COP30 begins in Brazil's Amazon, @hrw.org is drawing attention to the Terra Nossa settlement, where a federal agency plans to hand over a large area of the rainforest to illegal cattle ranches:
In the Shadow of COP30, Brazil is Stripping Rainforest of Protections
While the city of Belém steps up to host the COP30 global climate summit in November, in another corner of Pará state, a federal government agency is planning to hand over a large area of the Amazon r...
www.hrw.org
November 10, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Reposted by Richard Pearshouse
COP30, the annual United Nations climate change conference, kicks off today in Belém, Brazil.
This year, countries should move forward with plans to phase out fossil fuels in a way that protects human rights and supports a just transition.
Learn more ⤵️
This year, countries should move forward with plans to phase out fossil fuels in a way that protects human rights and supports a just transition.
Learn more ⤵️
November 10, 2025 at 2:30 PM
COP30, the annual United Nations climate change conference, kicks off today in Belém, Brazil.
This year, countries should move forward with plans to phase out fossil fuels in a way that protects human rights and supports a just transition.
Learn more ⤵️
This year, countries should move forward with plans to phase out fossil fuels in a way that protects human rights and supports a just transition.
Learn more ⤵️
A new study from PSE Healthy Energy highlights hidden dangers of methane leaks, an often overlooked threat to both climate +public health
The research serves as a warning: weakening or delaying methane regulations would undermine climate goals + leave many communities exposed to toxic air pollution
The research serves as a warning: weakening or delaying methane regulations would undermine climate goals + leave many communities exposed to toxic air pollution
New Research Details Hidden Health Risks of Methane Emissions
Newly published research from PSE Healthy Energy, a US-based nonprofit research organization, highlights the hidden dangers of methane leaks, an often overlooked but serious threat to both the climate...
www.hrw.org
September 18, 2025 at 2:42 PM
A new study from PSE Healthy Energy highlights hidden dangers of methane leaks, an often overlooked threat to both climate +public health
The research serves as a warning: weakening or delaying methane regulations would undermine climate goals + leave many communities exposed to toxic air pollution
The research serves as a warning: weakening or delaying methane regulations would undermine climate goals + leave many communities exposed to toxic air pollution
Reposted by Richard Pearshouse
"For now, the world isn’t performing an energy transition but an energy addition, where renewables top up oil, gas and coal. ... [T]hat will remain the case for years, if not decades, unless governments impose significant changes."
Depressing.
www.smh.com.au/business/mar...
Depressing.
www.smh.com.au/business/mar...
The end of fossil fuel era? It’s nowhere near
For the last few years, climate and energy policymakers have convinced themselves the world was inexorably moving away from fossil fuels. Breaking news: It is not.
www.smh.com.au
September 17, 2025 at 10:47 PM
"For now, the world isn’t performing an energy transition but an energy addition, where renewables top up oil, gas and coal. ... [T]hat will remain the case for years, if not decades, unless governments impose significant changes."
Depressing.
www.smh.com.au/business/mar...
Depressing.
www.smh.com.au/business/mar...
“Land and environmental defenders – those protecting our forests, rivers, and lands across the world – continue to be met with unspeakable violence. They are being hunted, harassed, and killed – not for breaking laws, but for defending life itself.”
-Laura Furones, @globalwitness.org
-Laura Furones, @globalwitness.org
New threats target land and environmental rights defenders
Land and environmental defenders face extreme violence, criminalisation and lack of protection around the world, with 146 killed or disappeared in 2024
globalwitness.org
September 17, 2025 at 5:40 PM
“Land and environmental defenders – those protecting our forests, rivers, and lands across the world – continue to be met with unspeakable violence. They are being hunted, harassed, and killed – not for breaking laws, but for defending life itself.”
-Laura Furones, @globalwitness.org
-Laura Furones, @globalwitness.org
Next week, Pacific leaders gather in Solomon Islands for the Pacific Islands Forum.
As single communities across the Pacific face sea level rise + coastal erosion without assistance or support, @hrw.org calls on Pacific leaders to adopt the Pacific Guidance on Internal Planned Relocation:
As single communities across the Pacific face sea level rise + coastal erosion without assistance or support, @hrw.org calls on Pacific leaders to adopt the Pacific Guidance on Internal Planned Relocation:
Pacific Leaders Should Act Collectively on Climate Relocation
Pacific leaders preparing to gather for the Pacific Islands Forum in Solomon Islands this month have accepted a collective responsibility: to act decisively for the many Indigenous communities already...
www.hrw.org
September 5, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Next week, Pacific leaders gather in Solomon Islands for the Pacific Islands Forum.
As single communities across the Pacific face sea level rise + coastal erosion without assistance or support, @hrw.org calls on Pacific leaders to adopt the Pacific Guidance on Internal Planned Relocation:
As single communities across the Pacific face sea level rise + coastal erosion without assistance or support, @hrw.org calls on Pacific leaders to adopt the Pacific Guidance on Internal Planned Relocation:
Reposted by Richard Pearshouse
A Chinese company spilled toxic mining waste into Zambian villages and rivers.
When the company's consultant warned that the spill was 3 times worse than previously disclosed and could cause serious illness for locals, the mining firm fired the consultant.
insideclimatenews.org/news/0409202...
When the company's consultant warned that the spill was 3 times worse than previously disclosed and could cause serious illness for locals, the mining firm fired the consultant.
insideclimatenews.org/news/0409202...
Zambia Ordered a Mining Company to Pay Villagers After a Toxic Waste Spill. The Firm Made Them Sign Away Their Rights First - Inside Climate News
China’s Sino-Metals Leach Zambia spilled toxic sludge into communities and rivers, an accident that could cost billions to clean up and restore. The firm got impoverished and often illiterate villager...
insideclimatenews.org
September 4, 2025 at 7:41 PM
A Chinese company spilled toxic mining waste into Zambian villages and rivers.
When the company's consultant warned that the spill was 3 times worse than previously disclosed and could cause serious illness for locals, the mining firm fired the consultant.
insideclimatenews.org/news/0409202...
When the company's consultant warned that the spill was 3 times worse than previously disclosed and could cause serious illness for locals, the mining firm fired the consultant.
insideclimatenews.org/news/0409202...
Reposted by Richard Pearshouse
Aneto Glacier
03 Sept. 2025
What's left of the largest glacier in the Pyrenees! 😱
Only few years more to see ice at the roof of this magnificent mountain range...😭
📷 @cryopyr / IG
03 Sept. 2025
What's left of the largest glacier in the Pyrenees! 😱
Only few years more to see ice at the roof of this magnificent mountain range...😭
📷 @cryopyr / IG
September 4, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Aneto Glacier
03 Sept. 2025
What's left of the largest glacier in the Pyrenees! 😱
Only few years more to see ice at the roof of this magnificent mountain range...😭
📷 @cryopyr / IG
03 Sept. 2025
What's left of the largest glacier in the Pyrenees! 😱
Only few years more to see ice at the roof of this magnificent mountain range...😭
📷 @cryopyr / IG