“Let’s fight for zero deforestation,” Lula says in first speech as president-elect. “Brazil is ready to resume its leading role in the fight against the climate crisis, protecting all our biomes, especially the Amazon Forest.”
Dom Phillips, a superb journalist, regular contributor to
@guardian
, and great friend, is missing in Javari Valley of Amazon after death threats to his indigenista companion, Bruno Pereira, who is also missing. Calling on Brazilian authorities to urgently launch search operation.
Lula in inauguration speech: “Brazil does not need to deforest to expand the agricultural frontier, but to replant 30 million (square kilometres of) cleared areas. There is no need to invade our biomes.”
@tomphillipsin
Insensitive, shallow, boorish Bolsonaro is trying to use the Queen’s funeral as an election campaign stop.
What a shameful representative of Brazil.
Lula’s victory speech is superb. I can’t remember any leader - in Brazil or any other country - devoting so much time and energy to nature and the climate at such a moment.
Exclusive: Antarctic temperature rises above 20C for first time on record.
Brazilian scientists, who registered the new high of 20.75C on Seymour Island, describe warming as "incredible and abnormal".
Story by me.
International criminal court urged to investigate Jair Bolsonaro for crimes against humanity over Amazon rainforest destruction and abuse of indigenous rights.
Reports from the Javari Valley that there has been ZERO support from the Brazilian military and police in the search today for Dom Phillips and Bruno Pereira. It seems the government has demobilised the resources they previously publicly promised.
Dom Phillips’ sister Sian and brother-in-law
@paulsherwood6
join a vigil for the missing journalist and indigenista Bruno Pereira outside the Brazilian Embassy in London.
Brazil, Indonesia and DRC in talks to form ‘Opec of rainforests.’ Smart move to share conservation knowledge and lobby for richer countries to pay for what they have taken for granted for too long.
Celebrations in order for anyone who cares about the Amazon rainforest. But as much from relief as from joy. Lula’s narrow win avoids the certain catastrophe that would be four more years of Bolsonaro. But…
‘Bolsonaro’s fingerprints are all over this’: how president’s war on Amazon played part in killing of Bruno and Dom. comprehensive analysis by
@adowniebrazil
Brazilian police have found suspects before they found a crime. Where are Dom Phillips and Bruno Pereira and why are the authorities doing so little to find them?
Just released: Amazon deforestation in 12 months until 31 July was 13,235 square kilometres, up 22% on previous year, according to Brazil's National Space Research Institute. Horrifying. No wonder Bolsonaro's government delayed release until after Cop26
Why aren’t US journalists using the word “coup”? For any other nation, that’s what it would be called when a defeated president stirs up a mob to disrupt the transfer of power.
“Brazil & the planet need a living Amazon. A standing tree is worth more than tons of wood illegally harvested by those who think only of easy profit…
A river of clear water is worth more than gold extracted at the expense of mercury that kills fauna and risks human life.”
The four worst and seven of the best leaders in terms of killing/saving people during
#COVID
pandemic. If only there were a clear pattern.
H/t
@Lorelei_CA
@MaddowBlog
Some personal and professional news: Next month, I will join some of the best journalists in Latin America to launch an Amazon newsletter called Sumaúma, which puts the rainforest at the centre of the world, rather than the capitals of money & power. Viva
@sumaumajornal
!
Brazil's next foreign minister Eduardo Araujo believes climate change "dogma" is Marxist plot, and bemoans ‘criminalisation’ of red meat, oil, Disney & heterosexual sex. Might be funny, it he wasn't representing such an important nation. By me.
“We are committed to indigenous peoples, other forest peoples and biodiversity. We want environmental pacification.
We are not interested in a war for the environment, but we are ready to defend it from any threat.”
“We will resume monitoring and surveillance of the Amazon, and combat any and all illegal activity – whether mining, mining, logging or improper agricultural occupation.”
Brazil’s National Museum kept one of the best collections of indigenous literature and artefacts in the world. “This is the greatest loss of indigenous writing in Latin America”, said Urutau Guajajara as he looked on at the fire. “Our memory has been erased”.
Murdered British journalist Dom Phillips laid to rest in Brazil. True to form, Dom had prepared a playlist for his funeral, including Chic’s Good Times. “A connoisseur to the last, he had insisted on the 12” mix.”
@tomphillipsin
and
@adowniebrazil
“At the same time, we will promote the sustainable development of communities living in the Amazon region. Let's prove once again that it is possible to generate wealth without destroying the environment.”
“We are open to international cooperation to preserve the Amazon, whether in the form of investment or scientific research. But always under the leadership of Brazil, without ever renouncing our sovereignty.”
“You white people have made the law but you are not respecting it.” Indigenous groups in Brazil appeal for help against wave of illegal miners invading their land.
Worst in the world. Here’s why Bolsonaro wants to hide Covid data. Brazil now has highest number of new deaths based on seven-day rolling average. Data by
@FT
@jburnmurdoch
Among others, Lula was accompanied by Raoni Metuktire in the ceremonial walk to power up the ramp of Planalto. A symbolic gesture that after 500 years, indigenous people finally have some say in running Brazil.
“They don’t speak our language. And somehow they’ve ended up with 14% of our land”. Bolsonaro’s jaw-dropping take on Brazil’s indigenous population, who have lost 86% of their land to a “somehow” of murder, theft and disease.
Brazil's president suggests international conspiracy to hold back Brazil. "Indians don't do lobbying. They don't speak our language. And somehow they've ended up with 14% of our land," Bolsonaro claims.
Brazil needs and should receive international support to do the right thing in the Amazon. The coming COP climate conference will be a good place to start. The rainforests and their people need to be far more central in global debates.
Criminal and heartbreaking. Impact of wildcat mining evident in before and after pics of once stunning waterfall in indigenous lands in Roraima, Brazil. Linked to ally of Bolsonaro. This is happening across Amazon.
“This is one of the reasons for the creation of Indigenous Peoples ministries. Each demarcated land is a new area of environmental protection. We owe respect to native peoples. We will repeal all injustices against indigenous peoples.”
Above are quotes from Lula speech to Congress. Below from public speech: "Indigenous peoples...are not obstacles to development – they are guardians of our rivers and forests, and a fundamental part of our greatness as a nation."
Silence from Brazil’s president is deafening. After seeing his idol Trump’s re-election hopes buried in the car park of Four Seasons Total Landscaping, perhaps
@jairbolsonaro
is busy making a preemptive booking for October-November 2022 at Leroy Merlin.
Extraordinary press release from
@JustStop_Oil
. For peacefully marching for 30 minutes on a road in North London to protest against the destruction of the planet - and having pleaded guilty - Stephen Gingell, a father of three, has been sentenced to six months in prison.
Exclusive. Scientists find Arctic methane hydrates being released from continental slopes of Laptev Sea. Raises concern that climate "sleeping giant" may have awoken. Story by me.
There is hope too. Lula made some important promises: to make the environment a super-issue that cuts across ministries, a new indigenous ministry and an end to illegal mining.
Brazil's judges (nudged by military) condemn Lula but he remains country's most popular politician. If his jailing is to be more than a cynical electoral ploy, Supreme Court should put Temer, Aécio and Jucá on trial. Not holding my breath.
“They don’t think it matters because it is Brazil. Facebook and Google’s shareholders are in the US, not here.” Social media giants spreading fake news ahead of run-off presidential vote, investigation reveals.
Story by
@adowniebrazil
Lula faces huge challenges: a divided country, a hostile Congress and the huge task of rebuilding the organs of environmental protection that were gutted by Bolsonaro and Salles.
1st response: “whaaaat?!” 2nd response: “what the hell are Brazilian universities teaching?!” 3rd and final response: “duh, this is all about racism, inequality and privilege.”
This amazing graph by my colleague
@JairoNicolau1
shows that Bolsonaro, the "man of the people" who refuses to get vaccinated and believes climate change is a hoax, is most popular among university graduates -- and least popular among those who haven't finished high school.
Bolsonaro didn’t like satellite data for Amazon deforestation so he fired the head of space agency. Now he is shamed by Covid death rate so he gets rid of two health ministers and hides the numbers. Dictators bring darkness.
Aruká Juma, the last man of the Juma people has died of Covid., according to indigenous rights group COIAB. His community reportedly numbered 15,000 at the start of 20th century before massacres, disease, land theft and deliberate neglect took their toll.
“The Guardian is very concerned and is urgently seeking information about Mr Phillips’ whereabouts and condition. We are in contact with the British embassy in Brazil and local and national authorities to try to establish the facts as soon as possible.”
‘Bolsonaro seems happy for a chunk of Brazil to have fallen into the hands of criminal organizations. For him, they’re not the problem. The problem is journalists & indigenous defenders who insist on investigating crimes.’ —Jan Rocha on withering form.
Brazilian Navy and Federal Police promise boat searches for Bruno Pereira and Dom Phillips but where are the overflights? The military likes to talk about "national sovereignty" in the Amazon. But not even a helicopter has appeared in the emergency action.
a Marinha e a PF prometem buscas de barco a Bruno Pereira
@tuyu_bruno
e Dom Phillips
@domphillips
. Ou seja, não haverá sobrevôos. Os militares gostam de discursar sobre "soberania nacional" na Amazônia. Mas não aparece um simples helicóptero para uma ação de emergência.
Brazilian federal police have not yet started a search for Dom Phillips and Bruno Pereira, who have been missing 30 hours in a dangerous area of the Amazon after death threats.
A Polícia Federal ainda NÃO começou as buscas para localizar
@domphillips
e Bruno Pereira, desaparecidos há mais de 30 horas no Vale do Javari. Quem está fazendo buscas desde ontem são os indígenas da região, pela Unijava. Como é possível??? Tempo é crucial na Amazônia!
Lula: "It is time to bring investments and reindustrialize Brazil. Combat climate change again and put an end once and for all to the devastation of our biomes, especially the Amazon."
1/2 My partner Sian's brother, Dom Phillips, has dissapeared on a trip in the Amazon. We implore the Brazilian authorities to send the national guard, federal police and all the powers at their disposal to find our cherished Dom.
Lula’s victory shows us the key to solving the climate and nature crises is politics.
Before individual responsibility, before new technology, before carbon markets, the solution starts with politics.
Politics. Politics. Politics.
Then the others can follow.
Seven things I love about
#COP26
but haven’t had a chance to report on:
1.A much greater focus on nature than at previous climate summits
2.Overdue recognition of crucial role of indigenous communities
3.Triumph of science. No more time wasting on denialist bollox
…
Immediately after taking power in Brazil yesterday, Bolsonaro made the agriculture ministry (now run by farmers) responsible for indigenous and quilombola land (mostly in Amazon). The vampires are now managing the blood bank. Even the military dictatorship didn’t go that far.
This massive spike in deforestation (double anything seen over previous 48months) is why Bolsonaro sacked head of space agency. Satellite info wasn’t leaked. Just routinely updated online as under previous presidents. Bolsonaro has fired a top scientist for doing his job.
Some personal news. I am taking a year off to write a book in the Amazon. The rainforest will be an inspiration rather than a subject, but there will be a strong natural science theme.
The sound of icebergs melting. This Antarctic story took a helluva long time, mostly because I struggled to do justice to the most amazing, inspiring place I have seen in my life...
Joining a show of journalistic solidarity for Dom Phillips and Bruno Pereira at “Reporting the Climate Crisis” conference organised by the
@pulitzercenter
The legend that is
@caetanoveloso
opens show in Rio with a call for intensified searches for Dom Phillips and Bruno Pereira and an investigation into their disappearance.
Ah Brazil! Oh Amazon! Lula wins first round of presidential election but falls short of outright victory. Bolsonaro’s stronger-than-forecast showing and his allies’ domination of Senate races make second round tough to call. The agony continues.
On anniversary of Marielle Franco's murder, as leftist politicians paid homage to her in Congress's big Green Room, rightwing deputies appeared with sounds of barking dogs and banners protesting maltreatment of animals. Pathetic.
Setting fires in the Amazon to clear land for crops destroys Brazilian rainforest. It must stop. That’s why we support Greenpeace’s aim to prevent further deforestation. And why Tesco does not buy meat from Brazil, and all our fresh beef comes from the UK and Ireland.
“There is no hope if Bolsonaro is re-elected president. It is either the Amazon or Bolsonaro. There is no space for both.”
My report on the latest political assault on the rainforest in Brazil. With comments by
@MarcioAstrini
and
@Erika_Berenguer
One of Brazil's few openly gay congressman, Jean Wyllys says he will leave Brazil because of death threats. Understandable but sad for Brazil. Wyllys was one of the most effective members of the legislature and stood up more strongly than anyone against Jair Bolsonaro.
Sick of constant death threats and living under armed guard, Jean Wyllys, until recently Brazil's only openly gay congressman, tells
@folha
he's decided to leave Brazil. Wyllys' colleague in the leftwing PSOL party, Marielle Franco, was murdered last year
Help please Twitter! Can forest fire induce lightning? I took dozens of pics tonight that suggest so. On the right is a reddish stationary fire. On the left are whitish flashes of lightning, which are all the same distance and altitude with no audible thunder. They seem tied.
"We, the peoples of the Amazon, are full of fear. Soon you will be too." Powerful opinion article by Raoni Metuktire, chief of the Kayapó indigenous people.
“About a third of the global total of fatalities were recorded in Brazil on Tuesday.” Bolsonaro leads the world’s worst-governed country deeper into death. Story by
@tomphillipsin
“I’m a freelancer with nothing but a book in my life and not even enough to live on next year while I write it,” he said in September. “Not so much all the eggs in the same basket as the entire hen house.” Fine tribute to Dom by
@DLBiller
of AP
Worth remembering Bolsonaro attacked Raoni in a 2020 United Nations speech, when he accused the indigenous leader of being used by foreign governments and NGOs, and insisted “the monopoly of the Raoni era is over.”
Great analysis here by
@danichiaretti
Incredibly proud of my wife
@brumelianebrum
who has won Brazil’s top journalism award (Vladimir Hertzog), is shortlisted for top literary award (Jabuti) and has now penned this life-affirming column on Lula’s victory for our joint creation
@sumaumajornal
.
“We” are not equally to blame for the climate emergency. Inequality is a cause of the crisis. And the climate is, in turn, worsening inequality.
My introduction to new
@guardianeco
series.