The event proposes a reflection on the formation of Brazil and the celebration of Earth Day through an epistemological lens anchored in the ancestral knowledge of indigenous leader Arassari Pataxó. The presentation will be followed by a dialogue with Professor Marcia Macedo, PhD, and Talita Andre, a Master’s student at the Climate School, deepening the connections between ancestral knowledge, academic research, and the contemporary challenges of the climate crisis.
Arassari Pataxó is an indigenous Pataxó leader, educator, and advocate for the Pataxó community of the Barra Velha Territory, located in Bahia, Brazil. He is the creator of the initiative 'Dia de Índio é Todo Dia' (Every Day is Indigenous Day), which focuses on environmental awareness, the defense of indigenous rights, and the strengthening of ancestral culture. His work involves mediating between his people's traditional knowledge and engaging in dialogue with external institutions to address themes such as climate, territory, and nature preservation.
Dr. Marcia Macedo
Marcia Macedo is Assistant Professor of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology and of Climate. She is an ecosystem ecologist studying the causes of tropical deforestation and forest degradation and their consequences for forests, rivers, and the climate. Her research explores how land use and climate change are reshaping tropical landscapes by altering the hydrological cycle and regional fire dynamics. To understand these multi-scale processes, she uses a combination of field observations, satellite data, and modeling, focusing on hotspots of connection between upland forests and aquatic ecosystems. Much of this work focuses on the Brazilian Amazon and Cerrado biomes, with the goal of identifying science-based solutions to inform management and build social and ecological resilience.
Talita André
Talita Andre has over 15 years of experience at the intersection of philanthropy, impact investing, and climate justice. She has worked at leading institutions in Brazil, including Itaúsa and Instituto Votorantim, where she led strategies connecting climate, social impact, and economic development. She founded one of Brazil’s first early-stage impact investment funds backed by a corporate institute and has advised senior leadership and boards on strategic decision-making. Talita is currently a Master’s candidate in Climate and Society at Columbia University and holds a master’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from the University of São Paulo.
