The alarming images that show the destruction in the Amazon

On the Twitter network, the hashtag #PrayforAmazonas (Pray for the Amazon) was the first global trend on Wednesday and scored 761-000 tweets at the end of the day, many critics of Bolsonaro, a global warming skeptic, or worried about the consequences of fires on the planet.

"The Amazon provides 20% of the oxygen we breathe if we do nothing, we can not miss any living being, we provoke this and we do not help solve the problem as quickly as possible" , wrote a user.

At the time of the false information, real photos of the fires were also badociated with distorted images and unsupported data.

Between January and 19 August, 72,843 outbreaks of forest fires were recorded in Brazil, 83% more than in the same period last year, according to the National Research Institute's burning program. space (INPE).

The fires in Amazonia are due to burns caused by the deforestation of a land in order to convert it to a grazing area or to clear already deforested areas, usually in the dry season, which must end within a period of two months.

However, according to badysts, the cause of deforestation is sharply increasing: 2,254.8 km2 in July, almost four times the same month of 2018, according to the INPE.

WWF-Brazil lamented "President Bolsonaro's new attempt to divert the legitimate debate of civil society on the need to protect the Amazon and, therefore, fight against deforestation at the origin of fires disproportionately affecting the country and jeopardizing air quality in several regions ".

On the contrary, Environment Minister Ricardo Salles claims that strong winds were at the root of the phenomenon.

"The dry weather, the wind and the heat have caused a sharp increase in fires all over the country," Salles said on his Twitter account, announcing the dispatch of brigades to contain the fires.

Halls were booed in the morning during the Latin American and Caribbean Climate Week that takes place in Salvador, preparatory event for the United Nations Climate Change Summit on September 23 in New York and the Conference of the Climate of the COP25 will be held in Santiago de Chile in December.

"The meeting that we have here actually consolidates the concern, the important moment we live in the world of climate change" and "helps Brazil to show examples of sustainability" and to look for investment opportunities "said Salles.

Bolsonaro has been encouraging the opening of native reserves and protected areas to agricultural and mining activities since coming to power.

The Brazilian president prevented Brazil from hosting COP25 by ceasing to organize it and threatened to remove the South American giant from the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

But his speech has aroused resistance even in economic sectors, preoccupied by the possible measures to close the markets in Europe.

For Antonio Carlos Magalhaes Neto, Mayor of Salvador, Brazil will continue to lead the fight against climate change, beyond the "speech" of the Brazilian president.

"I hope that the federal government will not badume a radical or exaggerated position to deconstruct this important (environmentalist) program." If the path is that one, I hope not, but if the path is where we will have political forces in the country that will face them, "said the mayor to AFP.

However, environmentalists are pessimistic.

"The Amazon is on fire and they talk about climate finance," said Thais Vinhas of the Terra Mirim Foundation, referring to the discussions that will take place until Friday in Salvador to boost funding for the fight against the effects of global warming.

In the afternoon, activists returned to make their voices heard in the picturesque historic center of Salvador.

"We are suffering the consequences of a government that does not believe in science, Brazil is in an environmental setback," said Suelita Rocker of the 350.0rg NGO to AFP.

For ecologists, Bolsonaro seeks to discredit them to gain power and carry out their productive project, while ensuring respect for the environment.