Lula promises new day for Amazon
At summit, Brazil’s incoming leader vows to protect rainforest.
SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt — Six weeks before taking power, Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Wednesday told cheering crowds at the U.N. climate conference that he would crack down on illegal deforestation in the Amazon, reinitiate relationships with countries that finance forest protection efforts and push to host an upcoming world climate summit in the rainforest.
In two appearances, Lula laid out a vision for management of the world’s largest rainforest, critical to fighting climate change, that was in stark contrast with that of President Jair Bolsonaro, whose administration witnessed some of the most rapid cutting of forests in decades.
“There will be no climate security if the Amazon isn’t protected,” said Lula, adding that all crimes in the forest, including illegal logging and mining, would be cracked down on “without respite.”
Brazilian presidents have a wide range of powers when it comes to monitoring and regulating the Amazon. The Ministry of Environment oversees the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, known as Ibama, which patrols the forests. Federal police work across Brazil and the armed forces can also be deployed.
Bolsonaro, who pushed development in his pro-business rhetoric and policies, made several moves that weakened protections. For example, he appointed forest managers from the agribusiness sector, which opposes the creation of protected areas and pushes for the legalization of land robbing.
Many Brazil experts have argued those changes opened the door to widespread criminality: the deforested area in Brazil’s Amazon reached a 15-year high from August 2020 to July 2021, according to official figures. Satellite monitoring shows the trend this year is on track to surpass last year.
The Amazon rainforest, which covers parts of several nations in South America, combats climate change by absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide. It’s also home to some of the planet’s most unique animals and plants, along with tribes that have lived in the forest for thousands of years.
The appearance at the U.N. climate conference of Lula, who made an extraordinary political comeback after being convicted of corruption and jailed a few years ago, lent both symbolic and practical weight to discussions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help developing nations confront the effects of climate change. That’s because Lula oversaw large reductions in deforestation as president between 2003 and 2010.
“Lula! Lula! Lula!” chanted the crowd before his first appearance. In that meeting, Lula spoke with several Brazilian governors, including from important rainforest states like Amazonia and Para. He also addressed the crowd in a short speech.
Lula argued that the U.N. climate summit in 2025 should be based in the Amazon, so “people who defend the Amazon and defend the climate get to know the region close up.” He said he would pitch the idea to U.N. leadership this week.
During both speeches, Lula took several swipes at Bolsonaro, whom he beat in October’s elections.
“Brazil can’t remain isolated like it was these last four years. [Officials from Brazil] didn’t travel to any other countries, and no other countries traveled to Brazil,” said Lula, who will assume power Jan. 1.
The incoming president also had strong words for world leaders. He mentioned a resolution made during the climate conference in 2009 that rich countries would contribute $100 billion a year to help developing nations adapt to the effects of climate change. That effort has never been fully funded.
As president, Lula’s environmental record was mixed. Deforestation declined during the decade after he took power, but in his second term, he began catering to agribusiness interests.