Can Lula da Silva save the Amazon Rainforest?

Since coming into office on January 1st 2023, Lula da Silva has pledged to restore the Amazon Rainforest after years of exploitation. What have been his efforts so far and what has he discovered on the way? 

I’m sure you remember the Brazilian presidential election in October last year leading to the fate of the Amazon Rainforest. For the past four years deforestation has been rapidly increasing under Bolsonaro’s rule. The extent became so extreme that, in 2021, logging reached a 15-year peak. Now with Lula da Silva’s victory, he pledged to ‘reverse the environmental destruction’ created by Bolsonaro. But what has he done so far?

What has been done to tackle deforestation?

Using satellite images, The Government found 5 groups who were actively logging in The Cachoeira Seca indigenous reserve. An area in which deforestation is prohibited.

Using this information, the first official anti-deforestation raid took place on January 19th. Environmental agents stormed into the rainforest with machetes in search of the illegal loggers, ranchers and miners who have settled on protected land in order to arrest or detain them. Unfortunately, four of the five raids were unsuccessful as the tracked areas had recently been abandoned.

Whilst not delivering the desired product, this could suggest the influence that Lula’s campaign has had. Agents suggest that illegal loggers surrendered knowing the new Government enforcement. They believe that it would be a waste of time and money to continue if they would inevitably be caught.

What was the impact of Bolsonaro’s Government?

Not only has Bolsonaro caused great environmental damage but under his rule, native communities of the Amazon have been plunged into a humanitarian crisis. On a recent trip by Lula da Silva (to the Yanomami reserve), he discovered that 16 Yanomami Indians required emergency treatment for mercury poisoning.

Furthermore, it was reported that 20,000 illegal workers invaded the area with Bolsonaro’s encouragement and began mining, contaminating the water. These miners were even accused of opening fire on the Yanomami community, forcing them to leave their homes to allow for exploitation. In addition, 570 Yanomami children under five have died from preventable diseases when Bolsonaro was in office while 8/10 Yanomami children has chronic malnutrition.

What can Lula da Silva do?

Since finding out about the mistreatment of native tribes in the Amazon, Lula has called Bolsonaro a promoter of genocide. To show his support, Lula has begun sending out medical and food emergency packs to the Yanomami community.

However, this still leaves the question. Can the impacts of Bolsonaro’s presidency be reversed? The Amazon Rainforest and its native communities are at a tipping point. Without careful consideration by Lula’s government, the world’s biggest carbon sink could plummet into a wasteland.

P.S. If you would like to learn more about the Yanomami’s situation, this is their official website