Brazil, nation concentrated more than 70% of the forest fires in South America

teleSUR English

*More than 200,000 forest fires outbreaks have been recorded in 2024 *Pres. reaffirms he will confront those who threaten the country’s biodiversity and sovereignty *Environmental Movements are asking the president to decree a climate emergency *Parliamentary initiative seeks to increase punishment for those who cause forest fires

Transcript

00:00Meanwhile, Brazil is experiencing an environmental crisis caused by severe drought and wildfires

00:06largely triggered by criminal groups.

00:08The issue was addressed by President Lula da Silva on Tuesday at the UN.

00:12What do Brazilian citizens and organizations think about it?

00:15Details with our correspondent Andres Vieira.

00:21The sun is red with fire.

00:24Brazil is still burning.

00:26Throughout September, the nation concentrated more than 70% of the forest fires in South

00:32America.

00:33While experiencing its worst drought in 70 years, investigations point to the fact that

00:38part of this fire was caused by criminal action, a similar attack to what happened in 2019

00:44with the so-called Day of Fire during the government of Jair Bolsonaro.

00:55In the sectors of the latifundium, landowners, land invaders, illegal miners, the country

01:02was in flames.

01:04So without understanding this political dimension of the rise of the extreme right and its values

01:10such as the anti-vaccine movement, climate and scientific denialism, it is difficult

01:15to confront them.

01:25September is not over yet, but Brazil has already recorded more than 200,000 forest

01:30fire outbreaks in 2024, with the Amazon being the most affected natural region, according

01:37to official data, the worst number since 2010.

01:42But who are the sectors that gain from this destruction?

01:47Animal breeders, such as cattle breeders, seeking to expand the territory to breed these

01:52animals.

01:57People are hidden behind large organizations and pay R$ 300 for a person to set fire in

02:03a vegetation in a dry climate.

02:09This Tuesday at the United Nations General Assembly, Brazilian President Lula da Silva

02:15reaffirmed that he will confront those who threaten biodiversity and the country's sovereignty.

02:22Forest fires spread across the country and destroyed 5 million hectares in the month

02:26of August alone.

02:29My government does not outsource responsibilities and does not abdicate its sovereignty.

02:34We have already done a lot, but we know that much more needs to be done.

02:38In addition to facing the challenges of the climate crisis, we are fighting against those

02:43who profit from environmental destruction.

02:49On the other hand, environmental movements are asking the president to decree a climate

02:54emergency and order sectors that are inert in the face of the crisis to move.

03:02Without resources, there are no public policies, and it will also provide that we mobilize

03:07other forces of the state apparatus that are currently uninvolved in this calamity of Brazilian

03:12flames.

03:13I am talking here, for example, about the armed forces.

03:23In Congress, dozens of parliamentary initiatives seek to increase the punishment for those

03:28who cause forest fires, which currently ranges from two to four years in prison.

03:34In November, Brazil will host the G20 Summit and in 2025, the UN Climate Conference.

03:41The world is watching closely what is happening in the South American giant.

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