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Brazil “will not give in to pressure”
Far-right Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, known for his skeptical positions on climate change, was the subject of severe international criticism for his handling of environmental files, especially in 2019, due to the significant increase in fires in the Amazon forests during the first year. of his mandate.
His government calls for legislation on agricultural or mining activities in protected areas and has reduced funds for environmental protection programs.
Environmental experts confirm that these policies aggravate the damage caused to the Amazon, which is the largest tropical forest in the world, spread over several Latin American countries, especially Brazil, which occupies 60% of its surface.
“The vision of the Bolsonaro government for the development of the Amazon represents a return to the status quo in the past, which is the elimination of progressive deforestation. It is a reactionary vision that is far from the efforts required to address the climate crisis,” Greenpeace environmental spokesperson Christiani Mazzetti said in a statement.
However, Vice President Hamilton Murao, who presented the figures at a press conference, defended the Brazilian government’s commitment to fighting deforestation.
“The message that I am conveying on behalf of President Bolsonaro is that we will continue working with science and technology to support the work of environmental protection agencies,” said this retired general who leads a special working group created by the Brazilian president on the Amazon jungle.
US President-elect Joe Biden had threatened Brazil in October with “significant economic consequences” if deforestation continued at the current rate, but President Bolsonaro warned that his country would not yield to any pressure in this regard.
