Climate conflicts during the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America

The article tackles the problem of climate conflicts – particularly in Amazon region and especially in the period of global pandemic COVID-19. This specific period was chosen deliberately, because the illegal mining activity, which generates and fuels this conflicts, has increased exponentially during this time. Moreover it brought not only negative consequences for the environment, but also puts in danger the health and mere existence of some of indigenous groups, caused by the spreading of the pandemic. Firstly, the author refers to the short history of inclusion into the field of security studies of the ecological perspective, as well as of the development of the interests in research connecting the degradation of natural environment with violent conflicts. In the context of Amazon region the outline of current situation, the causes of intensification of illegal gold mining are presented. The author also tries to identify possible actions that may be undertaken to reduce the risks of such conflicts in the future.