Brazil’s green love story may not be so green

Starting this November 30, the world’s attention will turn to Dubai as countries gather for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28). 

Needless to say, the event comes amid growing global concern about the environment, as temperatures continue to rise and the world’s biodiversity is under increasing threat. As many experts have warned, the promotion of green discussions is urgent, as the controversial “point of no return,” something that for years remained distant is now becoming close to human reality. 

Under Lula, since January 2023, Brazil — which alone accounts for 60 percent of the area of the Amazon rainforest, a vast and unique biome — must undoubtedly be included in the discussion. 

This is especially true as COP28 is the first to be attended by Brazil after the years of Jair Bolsonaro, whose administration has been heavily criticized worldwide for rolling back environmental and indigenous protections. With Lula’s victory, experts and organizations had high hopes that the green discussion could once again take center stage. 

All that glitters is not green, however, and for many reasons. Although nature is considered a priority for the government, the Environment Ministry, for example, is not opposed to fracking, which has groundwater contamination as one of its many side effects. When asked about the issue, Brazil’s climate change secretary, Ana Toni, said she hoped developed countries would “take the lead in this debate.” 

Well, while this isn’t just a one-country fight, climate change won’t wait for countries to debate who needs to act first. 

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