Ellen Nemitz
(She/Her)
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Science, environment, sustainability, human rights and politics.
Journalist reporting on the environment, science, human rights and politics. Features on @fairplanet, @BBC_Future, @o_eco and others | Former @soljourno mentee
Articles by Ellen Nemitz
Gender Politics in the Indian Subcontinent
India is a country of legal contradictions on gender and sexuality. The Supreme Court decriminalised same-sex relations in 2018, striking down a colonial-era law that had criminalised millions. Yet the same court declined to legalise same-sex marriage in 2023, leaving LGBTQ+ couples without inheritance rights, adoption rights or the legal recognition that heterosexual partners take for granted.
O elo esquecido da transição: como a eficiência energética pode ajudar a descarbonizar a indústria
Reportagem por Ellen Nemitz 26 de setembro de 2025 Nem a luz da sua casa, nem os transportes: o elo mais problemático (e esquecido) da transição energética no Brasil está nas indústrias, que respondem por 31,7% do consumo de energia, segundo o Balanço Energético Nacional 2025, e representam hoje um dos principais gargalos da descarbonização no país.
COP30 host Brazil on path to slash food waste
Under a broad agenda to address the climate emergency, COP30 will have a special target of discussing food systems, especially reducing the amount of food wasted during the chain. Previous to the conference, which will be held in the Brazilian city of Belém, a series of have been putting the benefits of a pact against food loss on the table, both for reducing hunger and the impact on the environment.
Organizations tackle droughts, floods in Brazil by planting forests
Many areas of Brazil have been hit with severe droughts and floods in recent years; scientists say climate change is increasing the incidence of extreme weather events. Forests protect against erosion and pollution and help store water in soil and aquifers, buoying water security.
The high price of safety and land rights for Brazil’s Indigenous Peoples
Farmers have waged a real low-intensity war against Indigenous people in this region, which is known for agribusiness, wrote Brasilia-based organisation CIMI in its draft report, seen by FairPlanet. In the states of Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul, the threat of violence is preventing children from going to school or playing freely, and there are limited food and water supplies.
Conservative congress threatens Brazil’s same-sex marriage wins
The amount is 268 per cent higher than in 2013, when the National Council of Justice (CNJ) issued Resolution n. 175/2013, obliging registry offices to perform marriages between same-sex couples.
What will the Brazilian food industry do about plastic packaging?
Brazil produces around 7 million tons of plastic products a year, 44% of which are disposable and single-use plastics, common in food packaging; a significant amount of it ends up in one of Brazil’s 3,000 dumps.
O que a indústria de alimentos vai fazer com a questão das embalagens plásticas?
O Brasil produz cerca de 7 milhões de toneladas de produtos plásticos por ano, sendo 44% de plásticos descartáveis e de uso único, comum nas embalagens de alimentos; boa parte deles termina em um dos 3 mil lixões existentes no Brasil.
The initiative empowering Latin America’s female land defenders
"A pioneering legal instrument for environmental protection, but also a human rights treaty." This is how the NGO La Ruta del Clima, based in Costa Rica, describes the Escazú Agreement.
Fashion crimes: How cotton crops may be harming a Brazilian biome
The fashion industry has been under increasing pressure to adopt more sustainable practices, with the volume of clothes produced, purchased, and discarded threatening the environment. And if the final destination of a new piece of clothing wasn't a problem enough, the cotton used to manufacture it might also be dirty.
Brazil’s indigenous peoples fight for legal rights
Before the arrival of Europeans, more than three million indigenous people lived in the territory of current-day Brazil. However, by 2010, only approximately 817,000 remained, according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), mostly due to genocide at the hands of Europeans. The most recent data, however, shows a slight increase in this number to 1,652,876 indigenous people of more than 300 ethnicities, a sign of the resistance.
Between cultures, within nations: the different forms of statelessness
As there is no stretch of land that is not considered part of a country, every human being has a country of birth. Even Antarctica, the only continent not consistently inhabited by humans, is governed by twelve states. And yet, millions of people are not considered nationals of any country and have a status of statelessness.
Living in limbo: stateless Haitians in the Dominican Republic
Zacarías Toussaint is a 26 year-old man born and raised in the Dominican Republic. He has never left the country, not even for tourism. Nevertheless, the country in which he grew up does not consider him one of its citizens. Born to Haitian parents, Toussaint is stateless, and so are his two older sisters. He claims that, in spite of that, treatment differs according to the migrants' social class.
The Kurds: A stateless nation striving for self-determination
For over a century, Kurds have been trying to fight for their rights and freedom. Sadly, their quest has been largely characterised by human rights abuses and marginalisation. Hindered by political persecution, their dream of independence has been gradually fading. The Kurds are a non-Arab ethnic group of between 25 and 35 million people and are one of the world’s largest populations without a state.
The Atlas Movement: Uniting people beyond borders
What could citizenship look like in a truly humane and democratic world? How can we collaborate on some of the major issues facing humanity and our planet across borders? What would global elections look like? FairPlanet was joined by Colombe Cahen-Salvador and Andrea Venzon, the founders of Atlas, a global political party aiming to unite people beyond borders, on a special FairTalks episode.
Beyond Citizenship
Nature operates in fluidity. Between the land and the sea, the coast blends into the ocean. A river does not separate two landscapes - it is a part of the whole. Borders, however, are man-made. They are imaginary constructs that serve practical purposes; but borders cannot contain us. We tend to think of human beings as naturally sedentary, remaining in one homeland or region. But human nature, like that of over 50 per cent of the world’s species, is linked to movement and migration.
How a Guatemalan river clean-up could help save the oceans
The Motagua River basin, the largest in Guatemala, covers an area of nearly 17,000 square kilometres in a 486 kilometres path along 96 municipalities. This enormous and vital watercourse, which empties into the Caribbean Sea, transports at least 8,500 tonnes of waste annually. This influx of debris directly threatens the Mesoamerican reef, the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, which stretches nearly 700 miles between Mexico and Honduras, and is a biodiversity hotspot.
Who defends the defenders?
This is a true story. Text written by Jennifer Gaspar Founding Partner, Managing Director, Araminta Imagine - you live in a country under authoritarian rule. Every day is a struggle. You work as a human rights lawyer tirelessly defending citizens who have been arrested for exercising their fundamental rights. Then YOU are arresteD. Based on trumped up charges you are thrown into prison where you languished for more than a year. You became gravely ill in prison and were refused medical care.
Human Rights Defenders
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights turns 75 10 December 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of one of the world's most groundbreaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This landmark document enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Saving Lives | FairPlanet
Developing Story From an early time, Sebastian Jünemann was driven to work in emergency medicine, but couldn’t see himself spending a lifetime in the German medical system. So, he completed an education as a paramedic while completing his civil service course — and even after studying biology and pedagogy, and a master's in organizational psychology, the paramedic work has been running like a continuous thread through Sebastian’s life as a hands-on philanthropist.
Protecting the Cerrado biome: a fight for 'Brazil's heart'
Covering a quarter of Brazil's landmass, the Cerrado is vital for its environmental services. While deforestation threats persist, community-based solutions offer hope for people and nature. 'The heart of Brazil.' This is how the Cerrado, the second largest biome in Brazil and Latin America, is dubbed by the Institute for Society, Population and Nature (ISPN, in the Portuguese acronym), dedicated to finding environmental solutions for the Cerrado.
Brazil hopes for first black woman on Supreme Court
October 03, 2023 Due to its history of black African slavery, a system abolished just 135 years ago, Brazil is a country of 56 per cent black or brown people. Despite being the majority of the population, members of this group still face underrepresentation in leadership positions, both in the private and public sectors. A campaign led by civil society wants to change this.
Conserving Chilean Patagonia and the Chiloé Islands
September 26, 2023 The Chiloé Islands, which set the scene for Isabel Allende's novel Maya's Notebook, are located nearly 15 hours by car and ferry from Santiago, Chile's capital. This region, together with Chilean Patagonia, hosts some of the most unique ecosystems in the world. A December 2022 study from Universidad Austral de Chile identifies several crucial areas for Patagonia's terrestrial and marine biodiversity conservation.
Brazilian indigenous women march for the country's biomes
September 19, 2023 Between September 11th and 13th, the third edition of the March of the Indigenous Women occurred in Brasilia, the capital city of Brazil.
Remembering the coup: Chile strives to keep democracy alive
September 13, 2023 A period of civil rights violations and abuse of authority marked Chilean history between 1973 and 1999. Fifty years ago, when the military coup saw then-president Salvador Allende killed, the long-lasting regime of his successor, General Augusto Pinochet, began. Chile now hopes to rewrite this chapter. A 2020 referendum ruled that the constitution, which dates from Pinochet's era, fell short on a series of fundamental civil rights.
Improving play and education in Brazil benefits climate
September 05, 2023 International Literacy Day on 8 September celebrates education, highlighting the importance of providing literacy for everyone. The United Nations has been observing the international celebration since 1967. This year, it comes with an apt theme for Brazil: promoting literacy for a world in transition and building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies.
Geospatial tool will protect isolated indigenous groups
August 29, 2023 The Observatory of Isolated and Recently Contacted Indigenous Peoples (Opi) has launched Mopi, a geospatial tool to monitor isolated indigenous peoples in the Brazilian Amazon. The tool aims to protect the populations who live purposefully detached from modern society but suffer the consequences of deforestation, mining and land invasion.
Ecuador's vote against oil drilling is a triumph for the Amazon
August 22, 2023 Last Sunday, August 20, millions of Ecuadorians headed to the ballots. Besides electing a new president after Guillermo Lasso dissolved Congress, voters also elected representatives for legislative houses. Additionally, they voted on whether to protect certain areas from oil exploitation and mining activities.
The Brazilian women driving agricultural change
August 17, 2023 "When a woman moves forward, no man moves back," said Mazé Morais, the secretary of rural women workers at National Confederation of Rural Workers and Family Farmers during the final session of the Daisies' March (Marcha das Margaridas), a historical movement of rural women advocating for public policies supporting small-scale agriculture.
Hydro-generated electricity? Not at nature’s expense
August 08, 2023 Xingu is a river situated in the Brazilian Amazon Forest, and serves as the location for the hydroelectric plant of Belo Monte, which has been operational since 2015. According to Agência Brasil, a State press outlet, Belo Monte has the capacity to provide approximately 10 per cent of Brazil's total energy consumption. The operation of Belo Monte, however, comes at a significant environmental cost.
How Peru's indigenous peoples fight for quality education
Marleni, a 28-year-old natural science educator from Peru, hails from Ccorca, a rural community located approximately one and a half hours away from the popular tourist destination of Cusco. She managed to graduate from Universidad Nacional San Antonio Abad del Cusco and dreams of becoming a leader in her home community. Her chances of success have been increased though a partnership with Amantaní, an NGO that has been working with young people and their parents in Peru since 2008.
Inside the campaign promoting breastfeeding as a human right
August 01, 2023 Breastfeeding is a human right. The World Health Organisation (WHO) emphasizes the importance of promoting breastfeeding as a fundamental right for children's health and development. Breastfeeding provides essential nutrients for healthy growth and development in early childhood, and is considered an important source of nutritious food.
Sexual violence against women and girls in Brazil soars
July 24, 2023 The July release of one of Brazil's most critical reports on violence, the Brazilian Public Security Forum's Yearbook, calls attention to concerning data. The country had the highest number of rapes ever in 2022, notes the report, reflecting the lack of public policies protecting people from sexual violence. There have been 74,930 victims over the year, primarily women (88.7 per cent) and Black (56.8 per cent).
Ecuador Blue Bond: Fresh Hope for Galapagos
Ecuador's blue bond brings fresh hope for Galapagos Islands BY ELLEN NEMITZ The fragile ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands faces dire threats, but recent developments could turn the tide, experts say. The ocean has taken center stage in 2023. In March, the United Nations announced a monumental Ocean Treaty reached by the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction.
Clean energy, not oil, will help Venezuela recover
July 18, 2023 Venezuela is suffering one of the worst modern global economic and humanitarian crises. Extreme poverty, hunger, hyperinflation, unemployment, violence and low incomes have driven at least 7 million people away from the country over the past decade, according to data from the United Nations Agency for Refugees (UNHCR).
Brazilian health policies back on track
July 11, 2023 In 1990, Brazil made history by creating a comprehensive free healthcare system called SUS (an acronym in Portuguese), matched only by a few globally. Though a welcome development, the system had its flaws. Due to the continental dimensions of Brazil, SUS offered a different experience for small remote communities compared with larger and more developed cities.
Guatemala election: fraud allegations threaten democracy
July 04, 2023 The presidential election in Guatemala, which will determine the new leader of the country after four years under the presidency of Alejandro Giammettei, has been breathtaking. Before the first round on 25 June, no one would have believed that the leftist Movimiento Semilla (Seed Movement) would have a chance at securing a place in the run-offs, scheduled for 20 August.
Brazil opens its arms to LGBTQ+ refugees
June 27, 2023 For refugees, fleeing home is dangerous and challenging. Leaving a history, family, friends and a culture behind usually drives people to an uncertain stage of starting life over in an unknown place, often facing xenophobia and the harshness of achieving the minimum dignity abroad. When refugees also identify themselves as LGBTQ+, the situation can be even more dangerous.
Ecuador’s Blue Bond brings fresh hope for Galapagos Islands
The ocean has taken centre stage in 2023. In March, the United Nations announced a monumental Ocean Treaty reached by the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction. Just two months later, on 9 May, Ecuador also made history by striking a deal to convert a billion dollar debt into a ‘blue bond’ that will allocate a minimum of USD 12 million per annum to conservation initiatives in the Galapagos Islands.
Despite advances, Brazil’s environmental strategy remains flawed
June 20, 2023 Co-written by Valkyria Ratmann During the first period of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's third presidential term in Brazil, some of his government's environmental priorities have come under question by activists. While the president and key ministers are aligned in promoting sustainable policies, economic interests seem to prevail in important discussions concerning a greener future.
When prisons in Latin America violate inmates’ human rights
June 12, 2023 topic: Human Rights located: El Salvador, Brazil editor: Ellen Nemitz During El Salvador's state of emergency, prisons have commonly been used as a tool to combat gang violence. Since March 2022 thousands of people have been arrested, even though not all have been proven guilty, and most have remained deprived of liberty before a fair trial is carried out. Since then, at least 153 of them have died while in custody - many in violent ways, says a report released by the NGO Cristosal.
The NGO working to reforest Haiti
June 07, 2023 The rampant and unbridled deforestation in Haiti has been denounced by the NGO Manos Unidas on the eve of World Environment Day, celebrated on 5 June. The coordinator of projects in the Caribbean for Manos Unidas, Lucas Bolado, explains that the felling of trees happens mainly for charcoal extraction since this is the only source of energy for cooking in most households and one of the few sources of income available to families.
Can indigenous leaders save Ecuadors democracy?
May 31, 2023 Ecuador is the most recent country in Latin America to face deep political instability. The script is quite similar to the one witnessed by its neighbour Peru months earlier: President Guillermo Lasso, who had a legitimate ongoing term from 2021 to 2025, was charged on an impeachment trial for alleged corruption. Before any further discussions, he then proceeded to disband the Congress and put his own term to an early end, a process known as cross-death.
Brazil prioritizes oceans over oil profits
May 23, 2023 In response to a long-lasting proposal by petrochemical companies to explore the Amazon river estuary for oil, the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama), one of the main official environmental bodies in the country, denied the companies’ request, citing risks to the environment. In this northern area, scientists recently discovered a coral reef that extends through an area of up to 56,000 square metres, which is still being explored.
Will Chile lose its chance to advance on human rights?
May 17, 2023 It has been almost four years since the Chilean population protested in the streets to show its overall dissatisfaction with the government.
National elections reveal Paraguay’s fractured state
May 09, 2023 On 30 April 2023, Paraguay headed to polls to put an end to an electoral process which some specialists called lukewarm. The results were nothing more than predictable: Santiago Peña, the candidate launched by the current president Mario Abdo Benítez, won the presidency for their Colorado Party with nearly 43 percent of the votes against 27.5 percent for the opposition candidate Efraín Alegre.
Can AI help us create a more sustainable food system? đź¤-đźĄ-
 HOW AI CAN HELP CLEAN UP OUR MESSY FOOD SYSTEM By Ellen Nemitz Is the meat you buy at your local supermarket linked to deforestation? Which crops might need extra TLC to withstand unpredictable climate disasters? Artificial Intelligence could soon have the answer, as scientists in Latin America are exploring ways we can harness the technology to create a more sustainable food system. But is it too early to eliminate human input from the equation?Â
Can AI help us build a more sustainable food system?
Argentina and Brazil have emerged as important producers of both raw and industrialised foods, including meat, soybean, sugar cane and corn, among other staple products.
Win for indigenous rights: Brazil grants land demarcations
May 02, 2023 From 23 to 28 April, nearly 6,000 representatives from 180 indigenous ethnicities gathered in Brasília, the capital of Brazil, for the Free Land Camp march - one of the most prominent indigenous protests in the world.
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