Rubber tappers forge sustainable future in Amazon: Video
For generations, rubber tapping has been a key part of life in the Amazon, but the industry suffered a significant decline after the collapse of the Amazonian rubber boom in the late 20th century.
However, a recent revival of the rubber tapper trade in the impoverished northern region of Brazil has brought new hope to the area.
As the sun rises over the Amazonian island of Marajo, Renato Cordeiro ties his boots, grabs his knife, and heads to tap his rubber trees. Drop by drop, he collects the milky white sap, or latex, that sustains his livelihood.
The recent resurgence of the rubber tapper industry in this economically struggling northern Brazilian region has created new job opportunities for families who once thrived during the Amazon rubber boom.
A local company, Seringo, has helped Renato and over 1,500 other rubber tappers return to their craft. The company not only produces goods such as footwear but also works to protect the forest, which faces growing threats from deforestation.
