Abstract

Latin American political ecology has advanced a rigorous critique of mainstream development models predicated on intensive extraction of natural resources. In Brazil, the diversity of environmental justice movements illustrates the multifaceted ways different actors contest dominant notions of "progress." This article and a related series of lectures published at the JPE Grassroots platform present first-hand perspectives of diverse Brazilian environmental justice movements, including indigenous, quilombola, traditional forest peoples' and food sovereignty movements. We summarize the key ideas shared in the lectures and systematize their contributions as collective innovations for the environmental agenda and the ongoing making of political ecology. Overall, the speakers critique the commodification of land while promoting models of flourishing rooted in forest economics. They contest colonial legal frameworks and knowledge by encouraging strategic alliances, advancing counter-narratives, and promoting artistic production of the diversity of life on Earth.

Keywords: latin american political ecology, decolonial theory, environmental justice, critical thought, knowledge dialogue

How to Cite:

Sandroni, L., Tarin, B. & Robb Larkins, E., (2026) “Insights from the grassroots: Political ecology of Brazilian environmental justice movements”, Journal of Political Ecology 33(1): 10082. doi: https://doi.org/10.2458/jpe.10082