Bolsonaro Succession Sparks Fears for Amazon Rainforest

Brazil is set to elect a new president in October, and the future of the Amazon rainforest hangs in the balance. Former President Jair Bolsonaro cannot run due to house arrest, but his son Flávio is on the ballot. If elected, experts fear that Flávio will continue his father's policies, which saw deforestation soar during his presidency.

Between 2019 and 2023, deforestation in the Amazon reached a 15-year high under Bolsonaro's leadership. His son Flávio has been linked to corruption scandals and has refused to acknowledge climate change, instead referring to 'extreme climate events' and 'cyclical periods'. Critics worry that a Bolsonaro victory would mark the return of destructive policies for the Amazon.

Philip Fearnside, an ecologist at Brazil's National Institute for Amazonian Research (INPA), warns that the Amazon is a crucial element in regulating global climate patterns. He notes that if the forest collapses, it could lead to a significant increase in emissions, making it difficult to control climate change.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, has restored the power of environmental agencies and halved Amazon deforestation since returning to office in 2023. However, his government's infrastructure projects have been criticized for driving deforestation and locking in fossil fuel production.