"The Guardians of the Planet" [the "invisibles" who help protect the Earth]

Much more than just a beautiful art book, this work is a photographic and literary tribute to subsistence farmers (in this case, açaí farmers), who live far from the spotlight but who provide 80% of the food consumed in the world.

THE PROJECT

If we want to discuss planet conservation, environmental protection, and forest preservation, we must focus on empowering the people who live in and rely on these forests for survival and who need to secure dignified means of subsistence.

In this project, we focus our attention even more on reaching out to small-scale, extractive farmers, most of whom belong to Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs). These groups play a crucial role in forest preservation and management, a role they have fulfilled for generations, maintaining a balance between humans and nature. Their contributions are essential to protecting ecosystems and preventing deforestation—key elements in the fight against climate change.

These "Peoples of the Forest" (IPLCs) may represent over 370 million people worldwide, according to IWGIA data (2015). According to the FAO, they are responsible for managing 28% of the Earth's surface, playing a vital role in biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources. Indigenous knowledge, deeply rooted in traditional food systems, holds invaluable potential for addressing some of the greatest environmental and social challenges we face today.

THERE ARE "GUARDIANS" ALL OVER THE PLANET, AND THEIR STORIES DESERVE TO BE TOLD.

We envision The Planet’s Guardians as a collection of books that tell the stories of these peoples scattered across the globe. Each volume in the series will be dedicated to a specific group who, though often invisible to the global eye, carry ancestral knowledge passed down through generations. These groups adapt to the challenges around them, preserving traditional practices of farming, livestock herding, and community-based lifestyles that promote collective well-being and sustainability.

Our goal is to capture these stories and celebrate the diversity and resilience of those who keep alive the traditions that connect humanity to the land, the environment, and our roots. The first book in the series focuses on açaí harvesters living in the Amazon, but others will follow, unveiling the cultural richness and global impact of Indigenous peoples and traditional communities in safeguarding our planet.

All proceeds from the sale of the books will be fully directed to support two social projects:

• Espaço t: A Portuguese NGO with numerous projects and initiatives, focusing on two key areas: Individual Change (integrating individuals into artistic, cultural, and educational activities to foster self-expression and personal growth) and Social Change (promoting societal acceptance of diversity through cultural programs). They work with vulnerable populations, particularly in areas related to disability and addiction.

• Instituto Anjos Digitais: A Brazilian NGO dedicated to digital literacy and inclusion for social transformation through education. Their mission is to change lives by promoting education and digital inclusion, aiming to reduce social and cultural disparities that persist in society. The institute’s president and founder, Rossana Moura, collaborated closely in creating the book's photographic archive and has a deep understanding of the region and the field’s needs. Their digital training efforts focus on riverside women who support extractivist activities, helping to boost household income and local economies.

Os guardiões do Planeta (III)

About the author

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Luciana Salvatore –

Raised in a family of artists, including painters and photographers, she developed a great passion for colors and images. From a very young age, she would go on long photographic walks with her paternal grandfather Eduardo Salvatore, one of the great icons of the photography club movement and modern photography in Brazil – an artist recognized and awarded nationally and internationally.

Luciana is the DNA and the woman behind Movimenta Filmes. She has the soul of an artist, she likes people, she likes to sit down and talk, listen and learn. She likes light, colors, creating images, movement and, above all, feeling. Luciana likes stories. And that's why she fell in love with the world behind the lens.

He believes in art as a tool for transformation, and that both cinema and photography act on people's imagination, evoking feelings, provoking reflections and generating social change.

Luciana Salvatore, comunicação e imagem

Ana Osorio –

With degrees in Financial Management and Marketing, her passion for people, nature, and the planet has guided her journey into the world of "impact businesses," both social and environmental. This passion has inspired her to embrace new challenges and make a transformative career shift toward entrepreneurship, focusing on supporting vulnerable communities.

"My love for art has taught me to observe people, places, and everyday moments with a more sensitive perspective, seeking the unique and irreplaceable beauty in each individual, every location, and all objects."

Like Luciana Salvatore, she firmly believes in the power of art as a catalyst for transformation!

Ana Osório, arte e gestão

PEQUENOS NADAS COLLECTION

The pequenos NADAS joined the project initially created by the two founders. With the same passion, for the relevance of the theme and for the social character it has and with which they identified themselves.

The pequenos NADAS share, through the production of content, publishing and selling of books, social entrepreneurship projects with impact, promoting ongoing partnerships between people, companies, local authorities and NGOs. Committed to social justice and the promotion of initiatives that give visibility to neglected causes, they find a total alignment between this project and their own values. Because this book, like all those already published by the pequenos NADAS, is not just a photographic work, but an instrument of social transformation , by giving a voice to communities that live in invisibility, while simultaneously contributing to environmental and cultural preservation, the defense of human rights, environmental sustainability and raising awareness of the importance of small farmers and indigenous peoples in protecting the planet.

Budget and due dates

To carry out the initial print run of 1,000 books, including all production costs, we need to raise 40,600 euros . This amount will be used to cover the costs of design, copywriting , curation, publishing coordination, overheads, printing and paper for a high-quality book in terms of graphics and finishing, and decarbonisation. VAT is already included.

Our limit will not be just 1,000 books, but this is the initial goal.

If you like the project and find it relevant, help us spread the word.

GUARDIANS OF THE PLANET is a project that truly inspires us to take a closer look at the thousands of people who still live in invisibility in the 21st century, ultimately leading us to a greater awareness of the origin of many of the foods and products that satisfy our daily needs and pleasures.

Turn Invisibility into Visibility - Support the First Book in the Guardians of the Planet Collection.

Images

Documents

• Guardiões do Planeta

  pdf • 2.99 MB

• Apresentação projecto pequenos NADAS

  pdf • 3.07 MB