Tight Brazil election challenges fragile gains for Amazon conservation
As South America turns right, Brazil’s vote could leave the Amazon without conservation leaders.
Brazilian voters are set to cast their ballots on October 4th in a closely contested presidential election that could have significant consequences for the country's environmental policies. The race pits incumbent left-wing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, aiming for a fourth non-consecutive term, against Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, eldest son of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022). Flávio was previously arrested and barred from running after being convicted in a failed coup d'ètat trial.
Recent data suggest a tight race between the two candidates, with polls indicating they are highly likely to face off in a runoff election scheduled for October 25th. Lula's administration is credited with achieving the lowest deforestation rate in the Amazon in a decade, with Brazil overseeing 60% of the biome. However, environmental experts caution that these gains are fragile and could be jeopardized if Flávio Bolsonaro were to implement his father's policies, which favor agribusiness and mining industries, while undermining Indigenous rights and support.
A comprehensive analysis by the Climate Observatory, a coalition of Brazilian civil society organizations, revealed that climate and environmental issues are receiving inadequate attention from both candidates. The only exception is Lula's environmental plans, though they have a single area of concern: energy.
Written by urgent.news from Mongabay's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.