What did Bolsonaro say about the environment at the UN General Assembly?

“In terms of the environment and sustainable development, Brazil is part of the solution and a reference for the world. Two thirds of the entire Brazilian territory remains with native vegetation, which is exactly as it was when Brazil was discovered in 1500. In the Brazilian Amazon, an area equivalent to Western Europe, more than 80% of the forest remains untouched, contrary to what it is publicized by the major national and international media”, stated Bolsonaro.

On social media, there were demonstrations contrary to the president's statements:

“In the Brazilian Amazon, more than 80% of the forest remains untouched, contrary to what is reported by the national and international press”, said Bolsonaro.

The information is incompatible with the latest information on deforestation and illegal mining work in conservation regions in the Amazon.

Fires in the legal Amazon in 2022 already exceed those recorded last year

The fire outbreaks detected in the legal Amazon this year already exceed those recorded throughout 2021, according to official data.

The Amazon is experiencing lack of governance and destruction, and all of humanity can pay for it, says institute

Ane Alencar, director of Science at the Amazon Environmental Research Institute (IPAM), denounces non-compliance with the law and the indiscriminate occupation of public lands, in addition to the lack of government control to contain gangs operating in the region. “There needs to be a clash of command in these areas to show that the federal government and state governments have control of the territory.”

Agribusiness

The president also addressed the topic of agribusiness in his speech and cited Alysson Paulinelli, Brazilian candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize, former Minister of Agriculture during the military dictatorship in the Geisel government.

“This is what we see, for example, in food production. Four decades ago, Brazil imported food. Today, we are one of the largest exporters in the world. This was only possible thanks to heavy investments in science and innovation, with a view to productivity and sustainability. Here I pay tribute to the person of Alysson Paulinelli, Brazilian candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize, for her role in expanding the Brazilian agricultural frontier with the use of new technologies,” he said.

The speeches provoked reactions from supporters and critics alike on social media:

Curto curation:

• See the full speech by Jair Bolsonaro at the UN General Assembly (CNN)
• At the UN, Bolsonaro repeats misleading data about Petrobras, the environment and the economy (Estadão)🚥
• Marina: 'Bolsonaro is obliged to talk about the environment, but he is disgusted (UOL)
• On the eve of Bolsonaro's speech at the UN, the Amazon has seen an increase in fires and deforestation (with the BBC)

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