RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) -- Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is set to address the U.N. General Assembly on September 24, 2024, calling for intensified global efforts to combat climate change. His speech comes as Brazil faces a significant environmental crisis, with the Amazon rainforest experiencing 38,000 fires in August alone, the highest number recorded since 2010. The smoke from these fires has severely affected air quality in major cities, including São Paulo.
Lula attributes the fires to criminal activity and has proposed stricter penalties for environmental violations. However, the effectiveness of these measures has been undermined by a prolonged strike at the environmental regulator, Ibama, which lasted six months and ended just last month. This strike occurred during a period of heightened fire risk due to historic drought conditions.
The Brazilian president's administration has faced criticism for mixed messages regarding environmental policies, particularly concerning oil exploration near the Amazon River. While Lula previously advocated for conservation during his earlier presidency, his recent commitments to protect the environment are now being scrutinized in light of current events.
In an effort to combat the crisis, Lula announced fines of up to $1,800 per hectare for those caught setting forest fires and pledged an additional $90 million to fight fires nationwide. Yet, environmentalists express concern over the government's inconsistent policies and the need for a unified approach to environmental protection.
As Lula prepares for his address, the global community watches closely, given the implications of Brazil's environmental policies on international climate efforts.