Saving the World’s Equatorial Rainforests
Our beloved Earth has three green hearts — Amazonia, Congo and Sundaland [1] — the world’s three major equatorial rainforest systems. These are places of unfathomable complexity and diversity, places of beauty and wonder. They are the living embodiment of agaya and ubuntu — joyous, raucous, mysterious, fierce and lovely. The Novasutras Movement is engaged in work to preserve and protect Earth’s Three Green Hearts (#E3GH), collaborating with and promoting other efforts and organizations focused on climate, biodiversity, and the rights of indigenous peoples.
Our hearts are breaking. These sacred places must be preserved, healed and restored.
News on E3GH ~ News on the Deal for Nature
Upcoming E3GH Events ~ Past E3GH Events ~ Blog Posts
We’ve also launched a preliminary “stand alone” website: earths3greenhearts.org. We need Uplifters to help build that site – please sign on if you’d like to be involved.
In July 2020, Novasutras signed on to the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative‘s Faith for Forests Declaration.
ENGLISH | SPANISH | FRENCH | PORTUGUESE | BAHASA
Equatorial rainforests are sacred places. People around the world are coming together to recognize this fact and work to save Earth’s Three Green Hearts.
Learn More about Projects for
Earth’s Three Green Hearts
Amazonia
Novasutras is a founding partner in the #Amazon4Amazon effort, to get one of the world’s wealthiest corporations and its founder to direct funds toward preserving the Amazon rainforest and upholding indigenous land rights.
Congo
The devastating effects of climate change and deforestation in the heart of Africa are under-reported. Brave young activists are struggling to be heard in their calls to protect the Congo rainforest.
Sundaland
The forests of island and peninsular Southeast Asia are home to an incredible array of wildlife. But moneyed interests are pressing forward with forest clearing, driving beloved species to the brink of extinction for the sake of profits.
News on E3GH ~ News on the Deal for Nature
Upcoming E3GH Events ~ Past E3GH Event Videos ~ Blog Posts
Earth’s Three Green Hearts Events
Equatorial Voices on the Deep Transformation Network
Tuesday June 6th, 1:00 pm PDT / 21:00 UTC
The next live monthly DTN meeting will feature leaders from the Equatorial Voices Group: Robert Mboizi of Uganda, Rahul Patil of India & Getry Agizah of Kenya.
These courageous activists will talk about the intersection of their human rights and climate justice work with the Equatorial Voices Group they have started that is bringing climate action leaders together across national borders for dialogue, mutual support, shared learning and collaborative action.
We’re also happy to announce that on June 20th (9am PDT, noon EDT, 5pm GMT 7 pm EAT, & 9:30 pm IST), the Education Commons of DTN is hosting a follow-up conversation with Getry, Rahul and Robert to explore ways we can continue to work together and learn from each other. RSVP here.
Upcoming E3GH Events
Past E3GH Events
Apr 12th Learning from Equatorial Voices and Transforming Together – DTN
The Territory Follow-Up Conversation
Film Screening and Initial Conversation November 16, 2022 & Follow-Up Conversation Dec 2, 2022
The official film website notes that the film will be aired on National Geographic TV on Dec 1st and be streaming on Disney+ starting Dec 2nd.
We collaborated with Santa Cruz Climate Action Network to offer an online screening of this feature-length documentary, followed by conversation via Zoom.
Registered participants were emailed info about how to participate.
MORE INFO ABOUT THE FILM
Synopsis: The Territory provides an immersive look at the tireless fight of the Indigenous Uru-eu-wau-wau people against the encroaching deforestation brought by farmers and illegal settlers in the Brazilian Amazon. With awe-inspiring cinematography showcasing the titular landscape and richly textured sound design, the film takes audiences deep into the Uru-eu-wau-wau community and provides unprecedented access to the farmers and settlers illegally burning and clearing the protected Indigenous land. Partially shot by the Uru-eu-wau-wau people, the film relies on vérité footage captured over three years as the community risks their lives to set up their own news media team in the hopes of exposing the truth.
Run-time: 83 mins ~ Produced by: Documist ~ Co-Produced by: Uru-eu-wau-wau community ~ Distributed by: National Geographic Documentary Films ~ Theatrical Release: August 19, 2022 ~ Streaming release: December 2, 2022 (Disney+)
Earth’s Three Green Hearts: an Equinox Rainforest Meditation
March 20th, 2022
online via Insight Timer
Guided meditation for equatorial rainforests, global well-being and loving-kindness, at the moment when the sun is directly over equator. (1 hour, Presenter: Michelle)
Join the meditation Equinox Light on Equatorial Rainforests
Please invite your friends ~ you can use Eventbrite or Facebook to share.
To celebrate this Equinox, Dr. Michelle Merrill will lead a guided meditation, featuring a message of global wellness, joy and loving-kindness for all beings, with a special emphasis on the world’s equatorial rainforests. We are invited to reconnect with the beauty and wonder of nature. How do we welcome more love and joy for all our relations? What shall we leave behind, as we move into the next turning of our dance around the Sun? What beautiful possibilities beckon us toward the future?
The Octal Celebration this Equinox is another of our ecospiritual celebrations in the rhythm of the Earth-Sun dance.The precise moment of this Equinox is March 20th at 15:33 UTC (8:33am Pacific), when the sun is overhead at the Equator. This crossing of the celestial equator reminds us to focus on Earth’s Three Green Hearts – the tropical rainforests where the sun will be directly overhead through the days surrounding the Equinox.
Novasutras is collaborating with people and organizations around the world to save Earth’s Three Green Hearts: Amazonia, Congo, and Sundaland. We are promoting efforts and organizations focused on climate, biodiversity, and the rights of indigenous peoples.
Holding and Healing Earth’s Three Green Hearts
March 11th, 2021
(90 min, Presenter: Michelle)
Our beloved Earth has three green hearts — the equatorial rainforests. These are places of unfathomable complexity and diversity, places of beauty and wonder. We recognize that equatorial rainforests are sacred places, and their well-being is vital to maintaining a livable climate on our planet.
In meditation, we will experience a guided visualization of these amazing forests, and amplify our wishes for their continued thriving. Share your insights in conversation with others dedicated to healing the world.
Equatorial Rainforests:
Earth’s Three Green Hearts
February 22, 2021 (on Insight Timer, Guide: Michelle)
Our beloved Earth has three green hearts — the equatorial rainforests. These are places of unfathomable complexity and diversity, places of beauty and wonder. Visualize these amazing forests and amplify our wishes for their continued thriving, with a guide who has been there and knows the paths.
Equatorial rainforests are sacred places.
Novasutras collaborates with people and organizations around the world to save Earth’s Three Green Hearts: Amazonia, Congo, and Sundaland. Learn more…
Equatorial Rainforests:
Earth’s Three Green Hearts
February 12, 2021
Updates on projects to preserve and protect the world’s equatorial rainforests, including a report from Remy Zahiga, a climate activist in the Congo. Dr. Michelle Merrill shared some of her experiences studying orangutans and witnessing forest destruction in Sundaland (on the island of Sumatra), and led a guided visualization for the well-being of Earth’s Three Green Hearts. Paul Schaafsma shared history and updates on work in Amazonia and Congo. The new earths3greenhearts.org website was premiered.
Learn more…
Healing Earth’s Three Green Hearts: a conversation
August 25, 2020
A brief guided visualization, followed by dialogue about existing projects for Earth’s Three Green Hearts (especially Amazon4Amazon & ClimateJustice4Africa), possible projects for Sundaland, and how the Novasutras community can best support these efforts. Learn more…
Healing Earth’s Three Green Hearts: a conversation August 7, 2020 (video)
Earth’s Three Green Hearts: a guided meditation on equatorial rainforests
July 31, 2020
This guided meditation is appropriate for people with any level of meditation experience.
This meditation helps practitioners appreciate their connection with the equatorial rainforests of the Amazon, the Congo, and Southeast Asia. By sensing into the beauty and wonder of these vital forests, we awaken our capacity to love and protect them ever-more courageously.
Earth’s Three Green Hearts