Today, the government battles bad news from Amazonas state: local Feds accused the Environment Minister of helping loggers, and prosecutors presented malfeasance charges against the ex-Health Minister. And the Supreme Court decides on Lula’s fate as polls show him ahead.
Bolsonaro on the environment: different message, same antics?
President Jair Bolsonaro addressed a seven-page letter to his U.S. counterpart, Joe Biden, making his biggest environmental pledge to date. Ahead of the April 22-23 summit on climate issues, organized by the White House, the Brazilian government committed itself to ending illegal deforestation by 2030 and making Brazil carbon neutral by 2060 — with the possibility of bringing this goal forward by ten years.
Why it matters. Environment Minister Ricardo Salles has said he can only act to prevent the destruction of forests if developed nations provide Brazil with at least USD 1 billion in aid. In recent discussions, U.S. emissaries said no money would change hands until Brazil showed real action. The government expects this letter to be seen as a first step.
Yes, but … Deforestation rates for Mr. Salles’ first two years in the job were the highest since 2008. Last year’s levels were a shocking 47 percent higher...