{"id":21305,"date":"2020-08-26T13:57:03","date_gmt":"2020-08-26T16:57:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hmg.oc.eco.br\/the-political-crisis-of-brazil-and-the-amazon\/"},"modified":"2020-08-26T13:57:03","modified_gmt":"2020-08-26T16:57:03","slug":"the-political-crisis-of-brazil-and-the-amazon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hmg.oc.eco.br\/en\/the-political-crisis-of-brazil-and-the-amazon\/","title":{"rendered":"The political crisis of Brazil and the Amazon"},"content":{"rendered":"

During the last 18 months, Amazon deforestation, fires and violence against indigenous peoples, forest peoples and environmental defenders have increased dramatically.<\/p>\n

In the same period, the Brazilian environmental agencies and policies that for more than a decade have helped reduce deforestation, good monitoring and strong enforcement of environmental laws have been dismantled<\/a> and undermined<\/a>. The critical situation is a result of political actions and omissions by the current Brazilian government. This is also undermining Brazil\u2019s credibility towards its own citizens as well as the global community.<\/p>\n

The global public has reacted with shock over President Jair Bolsonaro’s mismanagement of the rainforest, and companies, investors<\/a> and politicians have been clear about reduced appetite for Brazilian products, investment and trade agreements. This is important.<\/p>\n

The government has responded to these concerns with a makeshift military operation to reduce Amazon deforestation, and banned the use of fire<\/a>. However, despite Bolsonaro\u2019s claims<\/a>, satellite monitoring and eye witnesses confirm that deforestation is increasing at record levels, and fires are raging again. Saying that you want to stop deforestation doesn\u2019t help if your actions do the opposite.<\/p>\n

To combat deforestation and protect the Amazon, its biodiversity, people, and its ability to produce rainfall and halt climate change, a comprehensive policy package is needed. With the support of 62 Brazilian organizations, we have outlined the five main steps<\/a> here.<\/p>\n

In spite of the crisis, the European Union and many other countries are still considering to enter a huge trade agreement with Brazil as part of the Mercosur region<\/a>. If they ratify such agreement now, without a major change in the way Brazil treats its rainforest, biodiversity, forest peoples and the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, it will be very difficult to take the European concerns for the climate or the Amazon seriously. Signing this treaty now will be signing a seal of approval for Amazon destruction.<\/p>\n

Europe: There is a responsibility to your signature. <\/strong>Bolsonaro needs a clear and categorical message that ratification cannot be considered until Brazil shows it\u2019s ready to comply with its environmental commitments.<\/p>\n

These 5 emergency measures must be a minimum: <\/strong><\/p>\n