The Amazon breathes a sigh of relief after Brazil elects Lula as its president

It has been 4 years since Bolsonaro took office and began dismantling the policies, mechanisms and funding created to protect the Amazon rainforest as well as Brazil’s indigenous population. In the name of progress and economic growth, policies to benefit the agribusiness industry, particularly cattle farming, logging and mining, were adopted – budgets for environmental agencies and experts were cut, enforcement of protection for land and indigenous people was severely reduced. In that time, the rate of deforestation accelerated to unprecedented levels.

“It is calculated that in the first 3 years of Bolsonaro’s term, deforestation accelerated and 34,000 square km, an area larger than Belgium, disappeared.”

Much damage has been done but hopefully Lula, a pragmatic champion of the people and consummate politician has made climate change a cornerstone of his campaign and political platform. This is not pure rhetoric. Under Lula’s previous government (he was president from 2003 to 2011) the rate of deforestation slowed by 80% as his government implemented policies under Environment Minister, Marina Silva. According to Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE), in 2004, the Amazon lost 28,000 square km, but by 2012, that figure had fallen to just 4,600 square km.

During his previous mandate, Lula led initiatives to create a regional discourse around climate change and how to protect the environment. He was also instrumental in creating mechanisms to raise international funding for protecting the Amazon and investing in sustainable initiatives. The Amazon Fund was created during his presidency raising, with contributions from Norway and Germany, over U$1 billion. All these were reversed by Bolsonaro.

The Amazon, 60% of which is in Brazil, is a critical buffer for the planet, absorbing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and producing oxygen and 17% of it is already gone.  It is also a critical biodiversity hub for the planet along with other biomes including the Atlantic rainforest along the coast of Brazil.

“Lula was the candidate for anyone with a concern for the future of our planet with his campaign promise of zero deforestation. ”

Fortunately, the markets have reacted favourably to his victory, giving Lula some breathing space and, hopefully time to reintroduce climate friendly actions and to make good his campaign promise.