The quote from Ursula K. Le Guin perfectly represents the way I feel as I finish writing this book. While the feeling of holding 600 pages written by me is indescribable, it does not compare to what I gained and learned along the way. This book represents a journey that started almost 10 years ago. When I was 22 years old, I completed a summer course at the London School of Economics and Political Sciences (lse). As my final paper for a course in Globalization and the Environment, I wrote about the internationalization of the Amazon rainforest. The subject came to me in mysterious ways, as I had no previous interest in the region. But it was trendy at the time, and as a law student with a great interest in environmental law, and a Brazilian, it made sense to write about the “lungs of the world”. For many years, that paper remained just that, and I quickly forgot about the subject. Yet, Professor Robert Falkner, who taught me that course and likely does not remember me, influenced greatly what was to come.It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.23
Four years after lse, I used that same paper as my writing sample for admission to an ll.m. program at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. I was accepted, and that paper somehow shaped my academic career. A couple of factors contributed to the persistence of the topic of Amazonia as my choice of research subject. In an environmental practicum class on the United Nations system, another professor, Ambassador Robert Van Lierop, introduced me to an Ecuadorian minister then in charge of the Yasuní itt Initiative, a brilliant project that sought financial contribution from other countries for the country to forfeit its sovereign right to exploit oil reserves in its share of Amazonia, thus avoiding additional greenhouse gas emissions. That project left me in awe, and although the country sadly later reversed it, became the basis for a paper written for a class on comparative environmental law, taught by Professor Nicholas Robinson, which focused on Ecuador. The paper developed into a thesis. The thesis analyzed the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization and compared forest law in Bolivia, Brazil, and Ecuador. Professor Robinson, my thesis supervisor and greatest supporter, constantly reinforced the need to expand it, and publish it. And this is how this book was born.
My biggest thank you is therefore to him. Exhausted after months focused on the thesis, I did not think I had the strength to continue researching and
Several other professors have also been extremely helpful along the way. From my professors at puc-Rio, where my passion for environmental law was born more than a decade ago, to many others at Pace, where it was recently cemented. Professor Katrina Kuh, from Hofstra Law School, and Erin Daly and Jimmy May, from Delaware Law School, have molded my research skills tremendously, and expanded the reach of my knowledge. As a visiting scholar at both schools, I learned valuable lessons, and the skills strengthened then are present in every page of this book. Through a lot of kindness and generosity, they gave me a start in an academic career.
To my colleagues at the Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice, who have been a daily part of this endeavor. To Susan Kath especially, who is the best “boss/colleague” I ever had. She became a friend whenever I needed one, and her daily support has meant the world. Thank you for sticking with me, and for not letting me quit. Thank you for the endless talks and support, especially in the last weeks of writing.
Since we are talking about revisions, there are several other people who have been remarkably helpful during this process: Jimmy May, Randall Abate, Katrina Kuh, Erin Daly, Clea Bowery, and Brenda Kombo. With agendas that were always full with their own academic writings and teachings, they managed to give me some of their own time to read through earlier drafts of a few chapters. To Beatriz Garcia, who not only inspired a lot of the research done here, through a book written by her which I read over and over, but also kindly agreed to look at some chapters without ever having met me in person. This book could also not have been written without the help of some very talented graduate students, who assisted me with specific research: Teodora Sidorova, Patricia Diaz Quijano, and Meg Cirilo. And, especially, to Laura Mott, who accompanied me in the last few months of this work, and met me weekly to discuss the new developments of International Forest Law. I sincerely appreciate your effort and passion, and am forever grateful for making this project yours as well.
Much of this book’s success also comes from the incredible encouragement I have always received from my family. To my brother Digo, who always supports me, giving me strength, and reminding me to be patient, that my dreams will eventually come true. You were right, as always. To my sister-in-law, Ciça,
To my grandmother Lydia, who left us in the middle of this journey, but was always my greatest supporter. To my other loving grandmother, Rúbia, for introducing me to foreign and mysterious lands and its deep stories, and for growing in me the responsibility to play my part in changing the world for the better.
To my mother, without whom none of this would be possible, and for whom all of this is dedicated. I could write a whole book about all the things I need to thank you for. But most importantly, thank you for all the encouragement you gave me every time I felt helpless and wanted to give up. Through all the ups and downs of this career, you reminded me that this was a long journey, and that I was just in the beginning; that patience was my karma, and what I needed to work on daily. Thank you for giving me all the support I could possibly need. For the countless hours on the phone, whether I was crying or smiling. For always holding my hand, even virtually. Thank you for constantly reminding me of my purposes and goals, and of the importance of having faith and patience. Thank you for believing so much in me.
To my father, who I know is always with me. Who, without even knowing it, started this pursuit for the protection of the environment, many, many years ago. As the visionary he was, he saw potential when nobody else could. This is for you, wherever you are. I hope you are proud of the choices I have made, and of the person I have become.
To the “basic family” and my “extended family” in Brazil, both so close and so far away, thank you for being always there, cheering me on. Thank you for taking turns to visit, letting me catch my breath whenever I thought I could not stand the saudades anymore.
To the dear friends I made in New York, whether you are still here or not. Thank you for keeping my mind off work sometimes, for bringing joy and happiness to my life. Thank you for Friday lunches and afternoons baking. To New York City, where everything is possible, for reminding me every day of how good surprises are just around the corner. When everything became too difficult, I could just walk the streets and remind myself the reason I was here for.
Finally and above all, to my loving husband Marcelo. Thank you for making me so, so, so happy. Thank you for letting me do the work I am passionate about, and never pressuring me to do anything differently, which is the greatest gift you could ever give me. Thank you for pushing me to be better, always.