The World is Burning

The story of Chico Mendes, rubber-tapper and environmentalist who was shot dead in December 1988. He fought against political corruption and personal greed on behalf of the immense but fragile wealth of the rainforest and the vanishing way of life of its people. Beginning with a history of the rubber trade, Shoumatoff goes on to describe the life of Mendes - his organization of human blockades against the chainsaw crews of ranchers and land speculators. In describing the follow up to the murder, the author highlights the corruption on the judiciary and ties this in with the vested interests and government policies which encourage the devastation of the rainforest and the destruction of the lives of its inhabitants.