"At least 124 people were killed in 2025 for protecting their homelands, forests, farms and waterways from pollution and other harms, according to a new report."
"Every three days someone is killed for defending nature.
In 2025, watchdog group Global Witness documented 124 such deaths worldwide, a toll researchers say is likely only a fraction of the total number because repression and armed conflict make many deaths impossible to verify.
The victims included Indigenous people, small-scale farmers and community organizers peacefully protecting forests, farmlands, waterways and other ecosystems from harm posed by companies, criminal syndicates and governments, according to the report released on Tuesday.
Mining was once again the industry most often linked to the killings. Global Witness also identified alleged links to organized crime or contract killings in more than a third of the cases."
Katie Surma reports for Inside Climate News September 15, 2026.
SEE ALSO:
"Latin America Accounted For 85% Of Environmental Defender Killings In 2025, Report Says"(AP)
"People Protecting Nature And Land Set Up Self-Defence Units Amid Threat Of Murder" (Guardian)
