The new president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, made a strong plea in defense of the environment on Sunday (01.01.2023) in his first speech in office and promised to end illegal deforestation in the Amazon and protect indigenous peoples.
“We cannot admit that (the Amazon) is a land without law, we will not tolerate the degradation of the environment that has done so much harm to our country,” said the leader of the Workers’ Party, in a statement before Congress in Brasilia.
Lula, 77, said that Brazil “can be on the global front line” and that, for this, it will initiate “an adequate energy transition” that aims to “eliminate greenhouse gas emissions.”
“Brazil does not need to deforest to increase its agricultural frontier,” he insisted.
You can live “without felling” trees
In the four years of management of former President Jair Bolsonaro, defender of the exploitation of minerals and wood in indigenous reserves, deforestation and fire data have skyrocketed in the largest tropical forest on the planet.
Lula stressed that Brazilians can live “without felling” trees or “without invading biomes,” although at the same time he said they will encourage the regularization of land for sustainable productive use.
Mention of the knowledge of indigenous peoples
He also came out in defense of indigenous peoples, who according to various environmental organizations have been abandoned by the previous administration.
According to Lula, “nobody knows better” the forests “than someone who was here in time immemorial,” alluding to the original peoples, and hinted that he will resume the demarcation of indigenous lands, paralyzed during the four years of Bolsonaro’s mandate, leader of the Brazilian extreme right.
“Each demarcated land is a new environmental area (…) We are going to revoke all injustices against indigenous peoples,” he said.
One of the 37 ministries that Lula’s Executive will have will be that of Indigenous Peoples, which will be led by activist and deputy Sônia Guajajara, one of the most recognized indigenous leaders in the international arena.
Lula assumed the presidency of Brazil for the third time on Sunday, after having governed in two consecutive terms, between 2003 and 2010.
Lula vows to “rescue” 33 million people from hunger
In his first speech, the president also pledged to end illegal deforestation in the #Amazonía,#Lula received the presidential sash from a diverse representation of the people of #Brasil. /jpc pic.twitter.com/0es3Y8McYW
— DW English (@dw_espanol) January 1, 2023
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