From the Amazon criticize Bolsonaro | They govern them …

The governors of the Amazonian states of Brazil joined them in criticizing the government of Jair Bolsonaro, condemning their unfortunate declarations, the measures applied in the environmental sector and, above all, the worrying figures of deforestation in the region , which grew 278 percent over the same month last year, according to data from the National Institute of Space Research (INPE). These figures also resulted in the suspension of economic cooperation between Norway and Germany, countries that maintained a rainforest preservation fund.

The Inter-State Consortium for Sustainable Development of the Legal Amazon, consisting of nine of the 27 Brazilian states, informed by a note aimed at "direct dialogue" with the countries that fund the Amazon Fund, which provides resources for the prevention, surveillance and conservation of the region. "The Amazon bloc regrets that the positions of the Brazilian government have caused the suspension of resources" of the Fund, added the text, which accentuates the controversy over Bolsonaro's plans to authorize economic activities, including mining , in indigenous reserves and in conflict zones. protection of the environment

"We are totally opposed to any illegal practice of economic activities in the region," added the group, which also proposed that the Banco da Amazônia be the "financial manager" of the Fund, in place of the bank of BNDES (National Bank of the United Kingdom). Economic and social development).

Norway announced last Thursday the blockade of 30 million euros ($ 33 ​​million) for the Fund's programs, for which the Scandinavian country contributed 93.5% of the total budget that this structure had received between 2008 and 2018. Germany the Brazilian public company Petrobras, 0.5%.

The German government had already blocked on August 10 about 35 million euros of different programs, until the figures of deforestation are again encouraging, or at least stabilized. "They can use this money as they see fit, and Brazil does not need it." Jair Bolsonaro has thus referred to the decision taken by Germany.

The two countries have repeatedly expressed their thanks to the government of Lula da Silva, responsible for launching the Fund project. Today, they strongly criticize a government that does not maintain the tripartite steering committee bringing together the federal government, state governments and civil society, recently eliminated by the controversial environment minister, Ricardo Salles.

"Having a diversified and balanced representation of authorities and civil society in the committee also contributes to increased transparency of information and accountability in decision-making," said the countries. through a letter to the Minister.

According to official data (still disputed by the government), deforestation in the Amazon region remained until April at the levels of recent years, but three months ago, it increased: 738.4 km² in May (which meant an increase of 34%), 931.7 km² in June (up 90.7%) until reaching the terrible figure of 2 254.8 km² in July (an increase of 278%). A week before the publication of the INPE report, its director, Ricardo Galvão, was sacked.

Bolsonaro reacted in its own way to the measures announced by the two European countries, ensuring that they do not affect at all Brazil. "Norway is not the country that kills whales there at the North Pole … It also exploits oil there?" This is not an example for us at all. and help Angela Merkel reforest Germany, "he said.

United Nations summit on global warming

Faced with Bolsonaro's questions about its weak environmental policy, Brazil is meeting in Salvador de Bahia for a meeting on global warming. Climate Week in Latin America and the Caribbean will bring together more than 3,000 participants from 26 countries (politicians, NGO members and representatives of multilateral organizations) to Friday.

Discussions will focus on the actions needed to broaden national commitments that meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to 1.5 ° C compared to the pre-industrial era.

Also held in Asia and Africa is a preparatory event for the United Nations Climate Change Summit in New York on 23 September and the COP25 Climate Conference to be held in New York. Santiago de Chile in December, after Bolsonaro withdrew. to organize The president even threatened to leave the Paris agreement on climate change during the election campaign (with which the country had promised to reforest 12 million hectares up to 2030), but had retired after a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.

At the same time, the Brazilian Minister of the Environment, Ricardo Salles, canceled the meeting on climate change that was held in Salvador in May, saying that it was an excuse for that people "go sightseeing", but a few days later, he retracted and just last week confirmed his participation.