Source: Lancashire Evening Post
Clive with his wife JacyaraMost people look forward to putting their feet up in retirement – but Clive Kelly isn’t like most people.
The 70-year-old environmentalist from Cottam, near Preston, has made headlines around the world fighting for South American tribal rights and campaigning to save the Amazon rainforest.
In recent years the ageing campaigner has kept out of the public eye, but now he is coming out of retirement for a final fight to stop the building of a controversial hydroelectric dam on the Xingu river in Brazil.
The activist, who has worked on projects with the likes of Sting and director James Cameron, is flying to Brazil on Thursday to support a campaign to stop the dam being built.
The pensioner, who suffers from high blood pressure and arthritis, said: “This dam can’t be allowed to go ahead it is as simple as that.
“This could be our last chance to save the Amazon rainforest for future generations; the destruction caused by this dam will be irreversible.”
The Belo Monte Dam would divert around 80% of the Xingu river from its original course, causing droughts in some areas and flooding in others.
It is estimated more than 20,000 indigenous people will be forced from their homes.
Brazil’s environment agency approved the £10bn project earlier this month despite criticism from natives and conservationists.
Born in Manchester, father-of-two Clive moved to Preston when he was 19 and became a nightclub owner and rhythm-and-blues promoter.
He ran the Catacombs club in Derby Street, Preston, in the 1960s, bringing the likes of Ringo Starr, Rory Storm and even a young Elton John to perform in the city.
Later in life he became involved in ecology and lived for decades on a trimaran called Survival, sailing the southern hemisphere to campaign for environmental causes.
When on land he lived in a hut in Brazil.
The activist, who lives with his wife Jacyara in Cottom, claims he was the protege of native Indian tribal leader Raoni Metuktire.
He was featured in an Oscar-nominated documentary film called Raoni, about the Txucahamae tribe in 1978.
During that time he claims he introduced rock star Sting to the tribe and worked with the singer on various environmental projects.
He also says he worked with director James Cameron in the mid-80s.
He says the filmmaker was so enamoured by his colourful life that it inspired the idea for the film Waterworld and Kevin Costner’s character is thought to be based on him.
Both Sting and Mr Cameron have spoken publicly against the building of the Belo Monte Dam in recent months.
Clive, who sports traditional tribal tattoos on his forehead, moved back to England in 2000 when his 55-foot trimaran boat was shipwrecked on a reef off the Caribbean.
He has recently worked with UCLan students on local campaigning projects.
He said: “I’ve done lots of things in my life and been to many places.
“But it is absolutely essential that we do what we can to stop this dam from being built.
“It is a long time since I’ve been in Brazil, but I have to go back.
“It won’t only destroy the lives of thousands of people but it could destroy species of animals, plants and fish that haven’t even been discovered yet.”
