One major thread from the recent G-7 conference is that a coalition of countries are willing to give $22 million in relief to help Brazil’s Amazon fires. The kicker? Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro announced that Brazil would be rejecting the G-7’s offer unless it comes with an apology from French President Emmanuel Macron. However, this decision has even governors in his own country questioning why.
The unprecedented burning of the world’s largest rainforest has made many become outspoken on the issue, especially Macron. He used the summit to call for a united front in protecting the rainforest and that the fires are an environmental crisis that Bolsonaro has let get out of control. Macron also claimed that Bolsonaro is a climate change skeptic that has been lying about his administration’s attempt to fight deforestation.
Bolsonaro, was not pleased by the comments made by Macron, and went on to call the comments “attacks” with the goal of undermining Brazil’s sovereignty. Bolsonaro’s tactics quickly became childish when he went onto social media distastefully commenting about Macron’s wife. Now he won’t accept aid from any G-7 countries unless Macron takes back everything he had ever said about Bolsonaro, a very juvenile move.
While Bolsonaro and Macron have been squabbling between themselves, Brazilian governors are urging Bolsonaro to take the combined $40 million. In addition to the G-7’s $22 million offer, the United Kingdom is offering $12 million and Canada offering $11 million.
Governor of Maranhão, Flávio Dino, revealed that he and other governors have told the president in a meeting that, “it’s not the moment to turn down money.” This call by Bolsonaro’s own countrymen may have had a positive effect on the situation.
Presidential spokesperson, Rego Barros, announced shortly after that Bolsonaro and Brazil would be “open to receiving financial support from organizations and countries,” however, “This money, when it enters the country, will have the total governance of the Brazilian people.”
These comments make it seem that the money may not go towards it intended purpose, Bolsonaro has a track record of defunding environmental protection agencies and being pro-business, but that is yet to be seen. Regardless, something needs to be done to put out the fire burning the worlds most important rainforest.
