Sustainability in the Amazon: Women in Leadership and Carbon Credits

Amazon: Love, Purpose, and Female Leadership

For Thais, her connection to the Amazon is visceral. She recounts that she only truly got to know the forest when she encountered her first carbon project, transforming it into her life's purpose. Her motto is simple: "No one wants to protect what they don't love. And to love, we need to know it." This passion led her to join the Startup G20 Gender Committee, where she advocated for the inclusion of the Amazon in the Brazilian environmental report. She highlighted that women are more likely to protect the environment and, on boards of directors, tend to make more sustainable decisions without compromising profit.

Studies show that companies with more women in leadership positions are perceived as more inclusive. Livia and Thais reinforce that the fight for equity is not "against men," but rather to overcome a historical gender gap, building a more egalitarian future for coming generations. They emphasize that women are naturally more inclined to care and administration, qualities essential for the sustainable development of the Amazon.

Balance and Resilience in the Female Journey

Balancing her career with motherhood was one of Thais's greatest challenges; she had to complete her master's degree at Berkeley, one of the world's most prestigious universities, with a son who was only eight months old. She and Livia discuss the impossibility of being "perfect at everything," a common pressure on women. Thais prioritizes quality moments with her son and highlights the importance of discipline to maintain routine and mental health, especially through physical exercise.

Thais was honored with the Inspire Women of the Year Seal by Berkeley Global, in recognition of her work in combating illegal deforestation. This award, for her, serves as a reflection on how she can bring more voices from the Amazon to global stages, overcoming barriers of opportunity and language.

Amazon: Local Voices and the End of the Colonial Gaze

For Thais, the Amazon is experiencing a "hype," but the people who live there are rarely on global stages. She criticizes the view of outsiders who, without direct experience in the region, define what the Amazon is to the world. The expert warns: the Amazon will not be saved "from the outside in," much less with a "colonial gaze." It is crucial to listen to and value local entrepreneurs who understand the challenges of infrastructure, logistics, and sanitation.

Brazil, holding 60% of the world's largest preserved forest, has the potential to be the global spokesperson on environmental issues. Thais Chalub advocates for a model of co-participation and benefit-sharing, where the money generated by the forest's resources remains in the region, creating local jobs and development through ethical businesses.

Future and Inspiration

Thais leads Amazônia Connect, a company that seeks to connect global capital with valuable initiatives in the Amazon, accelerating businesses that benefit the local population and the region's infrastructure. She anticipates significant evolution in Brazil's carbon market, especially with the likely approval of a regulatory bill.

For women who dream of working in sustainability, her message is clear: "Start small and dream big. Everything with purpose is very powerful and can take you to unimaginable places." Asked what she would tell her 15-year-old self, she advises: "Don't let anyone extinguish your flame." This is the essence of Donas da Voz: empowering women to use their voices to transform the world. May this flame inspire more women to pursue paths of impact, defending the Amazon and building a more just and sustainable future.