Criticizing Brazil over Amazon conservation will likely backfire (commentary)
Although Brazilians share a concern for the Amazon, and even hosted the groundbreaking Earth Summit in 1992, polls show less consensus on who is responsible for Amazon deforestation, who is best addressing this problem, or the role of foreign actors.
When activists or leaders from abroad single out Brazil and its president as bad actors on the environment, they risk potential backlash from Brazilians who often view such attacks as a double standard.
The heavy-handed tone that the Biden Administration has adopted may create unfortunate roadblocks to the progress which is possible, argue two authors from the Amazon Environmental Research Institute and the University of São Paulo.
The Straits Times
Brazil cuts environment spending one day after US climate summit pledge
Brazil s President Jair Bolsonaro had on April 22, 2021, pledged to double the budget for environmental enforcement.PHOTO: REUTERS
Published2 hours ago
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BBC News
Published
image captionThe Bolsonaro government has called for protected areas in the Amazon to be developed
Brazil s President Jair Bolsonaro has approved a cut to the environment ministry budget a day after he vowed to boost spending to tackle deforestation.
At a US-led climate summit, he promised to double the money reserved for environmental enforcement and to end illegal deforestation by 2030.
But the budget signed off on Friday did not include his spending pledge, or additional proposals made by Congress.
His government has weakened protections and wants to develop protected areas.
Critics say the president s promises on Thursday were linked to a controversial deal Brazil is negotiating with the US to receive financial aid in return for protecting the Amazon, the world s largest rainforest, and other areas.