How can further deforestation of the rainforest be stopped?

2023-08-08 22:51:00

At a summit in Brazil yesterday, the presidents of the eight Amazon countries are looking for a joint plan to save the world’s largest rainforest. However, experts doubt the political will to implement the ambitious goals.

First of all, good news: According to official figures, deforestation has fallen sharply in Brazil since President Lula da Silva took office – by a full 42 percent. Zero deforestation by 2030 is the President’s declared goal. He called on neighboring countries to accept this commitment. The summit now in Belem should be a platform where the eight Amazon countries would look for solutions together with local governments and residents, Lula said. Because: “The rainforest cannot only be regarded as an ecological protection area. The world must take care of the right of the inhabitants of the Amazon region to a good life,” he demanded.

The project is a novelty, especially since the eight governments are by no means on the same political line on the subject of the rainforest. There has been a cooperation agreement between the Amazon states since the late 1970s (in addition to Brazil, these are Bolivia, Ecuador, Guyana, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela and Suriname). There hasn’t been a meeting since 2009.

Above all, the summit in Belem is another signal from the Brazilian head of state that he is taking a leading role in the global fight against climate change – and that he is also making the industrialized countries more responsible. Brazil probably has its most important competitor in neighboring Colombia. At the preparatory summit a few weeks ago, President Gustavo Petro declared: “The approach of protecting forests to protect life always leads to another question: How much are they paying us for it?” This also includes the question: “Are we leaving fossil fuels in the Amazon or are we extracting them?” This is a decision that should be made jointly, even if each state is of course sovereign.

And that’s where the problems begin: There is unlikely to be a common position on this, since oil production in most countries is flooding the state coffers with urgently needed dollars. This is also a dilemma for the host Lula, which has already led to conflicts in his own coalition, which is why he has been struggling to make clear statements so far. Cattle breeding is also an important factor. Brazil is the world’s largest exporter of beef and soy. The toxic mixture of corruption, land grabbing and organized crime exacerbates the situation. Illegal funds in turn promote corruption and prevent legal prosecution. Experts complain that the states have no control at all over a large part of the Amazon region. Ecuador and Peru are also stuck in serious political crises, and it is unclear who will govern there in a year’s time.

But time is pressing. Scientists warn the Amazon is nearing a tipping point as destruction continues. 17 to 20 percent have already been destroyed – with dramatic consequences for the global climate.