President is single-handedly ruining the United States economy, revelling gleefully in the notion that Chinese are going jobless while, thanks to his gratuitously misguided tariffs, American farmers have no markets for their produce and that the civilized world recoils at the prospect of negotiating with a known grifter with the reliability of an automobile made entirely of paper clips, buttons and rubber bands.
It's all Trump-appointed Jerome Powell's fault.
18
I’ve researched and many of the public photos taken are fake and are not of the Amazon burning, which is something to be aware of. Also, social media is portraying this as another trend and people should be more concerned and conscious of environmental situations such as this.
1
Oh so you’ve researched and are now an authority on this issue, eh? The photos are not fake, but rather photos of other fires or old photos that are being mis-identified as the current fires. While mis-labeled and mis-identified information is problematic in the current age of social media, that in no way diminishes the scope of the current disaster in progress.
13
@Allie Congratulations. You are a citizen, or a citizen of the world. (Unable to know by name)
So what!?
Th real act of vandalism is that there are 8 billion humans, heading for 11 or more and we have expropriated the whole planet. Brazil is one little piece. There are just too many people.
But we're not allowed to say that.
36
That's true but misses part of the equation. There are also extremes of behaviour among those eight billion (and counting) souls -- private jets, coal-fired power plants (France's are nuclear), promoting beef, exporting bitumen, burning down rainforests, etc.
The Amazonian fires are symbolic -- humanity is one big carbon bonfire.
31
@Larry McCallum - and who was against building more power plants in the US, or extending the work life of existing ones? The left wingers, environmentalists and social groups - the same ones currently decrying inaction on climate change.
So what you say? We shouldn’t address activities with big impacts? There’s no silver bullet. We’re not just giving up.
Just when you think the world couldn’t sink any lower with amoral President Trump, here comes immoral Bolsonaro taking pride in burning down the rain forest.
We need a solution against the mass manipulation of people via the Internet ASAP.
50
@Anne The only real manipulation of the masses is being done through the false news against the Bolsonaro. These News Are Spread by the Bolsonaro Opponents in Brazil (Left Parties and Thieves of Other Political Parties) and the Macron Bandit and Other Europeans who want to take over (steal) the riches of the Brazilian Amazon.
1
I'm sure Trump would be willing to sell Brazil a rake.
Of course, that rake will have been made in China, have a plastic handle made from fossil fuels, and be imprinted with "Trump 2020".
Oh, and it will also cost $500.
If Brazil's check should bounce, then Trump will become concerned.
23
I’m sure Donald Trump will save the day with wisdom.
5
Does he think the donald trump of South America is a complement?
3
A Trump clone is ruining Brazil...and helping to kill off the planet...anybody really surprised?
4
Your premise that Brazil is a "democracy" is questionable at best -- at least as the concept is understood in most other democracies. It's better described as failed democracy in the initial stage of a transition to some sort of neo-fascist state akin to Weimer Germany, after the National Socialists won office in the January 1933 elections. All we're waiting for to seal the deal is to see whatever form Bolsonaro's Reichstag fire will take. Who knows? Given Bolsonaro's assertion that these wildfires were set by political opponents for the purpose of undermining his regime -- well it might already have happened.
1
Enough with all that meat already...
2
If bolsonaro is sometimes known as the trump of South America, then Macron (and anyone else who wants a world which tends toward peace and compassion) would do well to consider him as lying and untrustworthy as his orange doppelganger.
1
*I'm* waiting to see what the New Messiah will have to say about the EU-Brazil deal boycott.
Wanna bet DJT will side with his BFF Bolsonado over the planet?
NOT my president
2
Thank God for Macron and Merkle for having a spine and standing up to a fascist dictator
5
Coverage of the burning Amazon should be front-page news for every major publication
3
This travesty may cost Brazil a trade deal, but it will cost us and our children our lives.
Add to that Trumps equally right wing destruction of our National Parks, backwashed cafe standards, revocation of environmental controls and we have a Mad Max scenario of global warming and apocalyptic disaster.
It's real and it's coming to your town soon enough. These morons must be stopped.
5
Last night I was surprised to hear people all over the neighborhood beating pans in front of their windows in protest to president Bolsonaro, while he spoke on TV. The truth is that he promised to carry out these crimes even before he was elected, and it really doesn't matter if the pictures of fires and deforestation were taken now or years ago. What really matter is that the self-proclamed "Trump of the tropics" should be stopped in his plan to destroy the Amazon forest, its indigenous people and its biodiversity in order to dig minerals, raise cattle and plant miles of fields of corn, soja, etc. to export.
4
Macron shows how to lead. Trump, not so much.
2
If Brazil refuses to control the mad ranchers setting fires to the Amazon then this should have international repercussions!
1
So..., Macron says tariffs work?
Like the Philippines’ President Duterte who advocates a wholesale killing of anyone deemed “criminal”, so too has Brazil’s Bolsonaro. He insists on arming the public to combat crime. And, now is deliberatively killing the planet by allowing deforestation through the setting of fires along the Amazon region .
The G7 meeting is a good opportunity to call Bolsonaro out, though, Prescient Macron has indicated that there won’t be a final communique because of Trump’s past delinquent behavior.
1
Why are folks bashing Trump over this argument between France and Brazil?
Deliberate deforestation is criminal. Brave Macron !
1
The arsonist farmers may be motivated by the potential of a very big customer, China for Soy Beans
1
Its not like Brazil is the only country despoiling our planet. Macron’s condemnations and threats might carry more weight (in Brazil!) if he called out a few honorable mentions like the Canadian Alberta tar sands, the US reopening of the Alaskan Wildlife Reserve, Australia’s coal industry, and so many others. Does he honestly think the sanctions he proposes will work? If so, based on recent history, he is a fool.
1
and Bolsonaro will claim that liberal elitists and deep state this behind and about 35-40% of the population will believe that...
Bolsonaro is learning his place. He's the President of Brazil in Brazil and the President of Brazil in Europe.
France has a land border with Brazil. If that country won't protect the Amazon, France should annex the area and hold it in trust for all mankind.
2
Does Mr. Trump realize that being called the “Donald Trump of South America” is an insult?
2
Thank you President Macron for showing the world what a true leader is. Presidents like Bolsonaro, Duterte and Trump feed off the transient fears and needs of the ignorant. Their actions are short-sighted but unfortunately will have everlasting effects for the future of our environment. We desperately need leaders who have the foresight and the integrity to protect that which has no voice.
10
These fires, at this point, are out of control since active for weeks apparently and finally, the NYT gets its act together and starts reporting since E.Macron has tweeted about it.
Fine, however, one wishes this had been called to everyone's attention sometime earlier. Given the stakes, it's equally baffling to read that some heads of states still wonder whether it would be fair or not to bring up this issue at the upcoming G7 summit?!
Seems like Bolsanaro has stepped to the plate, ready to level the field and bolster his projects (even though this might happen to the detriment of the whole of humanity).
5
What a tragedy for humanity to lose so many plants that hold cures for diseases. Greed, always at the root of all evil.
6
trump may need his Twitter feed more than oxygen, but not me.
4
Macron is no hero, he's a politician preaching to his domestic electorate, which does not want any trade agreement with Mercosur, and will go to any lengths to avoid it. Remember the "gilets jaunes" who resist any environmentally protective measure? They ate Macron's lunch.
Macron used a 20-year old photo of burning forest to support his tweet--either he's incompetent or as much a liar as he claims Bolsonaro is.
Macron is simply revivifying traditional colonialist rhetoric--either these savages living in the tropics do what we want or we'll make them pay for it. That may play well in Europe, but not in Brasil.
Where was Macron when there were huge fires in his back yard Portugal? Where was Macron when there were huge fires in California?
Macron clearly subscribes to the apothegm DeGaulle supposedly said (but didn't): ":e Brésil, ce n'est pas un paix sérieux."
But, actually, Brazil is a serious country, which seriously wants to become a developed country. No developed country in the history of the world has ever become developed without decimating (literally) its forests.
So, is Brazil expected to keep its forests, while France keeps its farms?
Why?
5
@frugalfish I almost agree with you that you spoke. Except how much Brazil is devastating its forests. Brazilian Forests Have Never Been As Protected As In The Bolsonaro Government. Macron's goals are purely commercial and political. (Colonial).
@Joilson José
Your country has had independence from colonialists since 1822, a bit tired of hearing the colonial blame-game (and I am from a non-colonialist European country, I hasten to add!).
Trillions of US $ have been given in the past 6 decades via the UN, World Bank, etc in development aid or funding by the oft-vilified West (including countries with no colonial past!) and Brazil has had its fair share of that. I add that you must surely be aware that French automobile manufacturers have invested quite a bit in Brazil.
Norway has given almost a billion US$ this past decade to Brazil for the protection of the Amazon.
2
Bolsanaro promised Brazil, elect me president and I will turn the whole Amazon into farmland. Agriculture and jobs will increase. And he was elected. Brazil own the Amazon. Do other countries have the right to protest. Raises questions of international law.
2
Is the forest fire natural or man made? If it is natural, it isn’t anyone’s fault and should let it run its course. Man made is a different matter
3
@AmateurHistorian
I see you are smart. The Question is Political. Brazil Is Involved In The Largest Corruption Scheme Ever Seen On Planet Earth In All Times Of Known History. Bolsonaro and His Group Represents the Perfect Opposition to These Corrupt Groups. That Has Branches In Various Countries. One of the countries that sent money to the Amazon Fund actually has businesses that pollute the environment here in Brazil. France Has Commercial Interests and Brazil is on the Way. Bottom line: There are cases that are natural. As there are cases that are caused by man. And there are Criminal Fire Cases Probably Practiced by Bolsonaro Opponents. (Being Investigated).
Macron and the EU should confront the Trump administration just as vigorously, and they should make it an issue at the G7 also. Then nobody could claim it’s colonialism. Bashing Brazil is justified, but only if the US is held to the same standard.
7
The left wing media is getting this all wrong. France hates the Mercosul deal and couldn’t care less about the Amazon. Bolsonaro gave them the perfect excuse and if European Parliament doesn’t aprove the deal so be it. Reality is that with the trade war escalation China has been buying Brazil soy beans in lieu of US’ that is now tariffed so Brazil, a sovereign nation, needs to expand its crops. Separately, it is wrong to say Amazon produces oxygen. That is largely done by fitoplâncton in the Oceans.
Thank you Macron. The world needs leaders, now that the former usa has none.
3
@Tom Leader to lead, Where? Here in Brazil? The French were already scattered when from colony Brazil. It will be again.
1
One could think of this as a lifeboat where one person has a cork they can pull out and let water in. The negotiations might *start* with a bribe, but failing that, they would rapidly get more... coercive.
The nations of the world already bribe Brazil to keep the Amazon green—billions of dollars in aid attest to that. If they still insist on burning it down, it shouldn't be a surprise if additional pressure is applied.
3
@Olaf Trygvasson You are talking about a problem you do not know. The money that some countries sent with the title of "Amazon Fund", serves to open the back door, through NGOs, who really gets the money, giving way for these countries to steal the rich Brazil and also keep your business here in Brazil. Even Polluting the Environment. You Are Mail Informed. Brazil is not a land without owner.
I lived in Brazil for 13 years.
Many people voted for Bolsonaro not because they liked him but because the previous government was the most corrupt in the history of Brazil by a lot.
They don't like these things about Bolsonaro any more than we do.
Do an Internet search on "Lava Jato" and on "Operation Car Wash."
5
@Independent
I also lived in Brazil for 11 years. The several previous governmentS (ie, PT/Workers Party regimes) did very little to protect the Amazon, built hydroelectric dams there, etc.
2
@PM Not only that. They sold the riches of the forest to countries that present themselves on the world stage, saying that they want to protect the Amazon, but in fact they are stealing our riches. Flock of thieves.
@Independent
Then you are well aware that the country is incredibly corrupt and has been for aeons. Bolsonaro is just a different flavor in bed with the same criminals. They will rape the country just as Trump's "good men" would do here.
I miss the days of Obama (and even Bush, but we'd have to remove the intelligence part) and no matter what propagandist you believe, HE was a good, decent, very smart, fine human being; quite the opposite of his successor and Bolsonaro.
1
While fires burning in the Amazon are a great concern, perhaps Europe could replant much of the land they deforested centuries ago for pasture.
6
@EGD Reforest Brazil, or Europe? It was not clear.
That’s a great idea! Your comment is just late.
Forest surfaces in Europe have grown by one third during the last century.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2014/12/04/watch-how-europe-is-greener-now-than-100-years-ago/
If we rid ourselves of the top Trump and his destructive gas in 2020, we also take the wind out of his "American leadership" gale of mini-Trumps inflating off that gas from Bolsonaro, to Boris Johnson in the UK, Viktor Orbán in Hungary, Le Pen in France, and the rest.
Vote in 2020 and convince your neighbors and, particularly their first time-voting newly-minted adult children, to vote.
4
@Max from Mass Who told you Donald Trump has an influence on Brazil's votes? If I were american, today I would vote for Trump.
1
Is it not easier to catch flies with honey, instead of vinegar?
What if we, the rest of the world, offered some sort of compensation (it doesn’t have to be money) to Brazil, and the other rainforest countries, rather than threatening sanctions, or canceled trade deals? We’re asking them to maintain an environment that benefits all, shouldn’t they receive something for the service?
On another note, it’s a crying shame we have to look toward Macron and Merkel for leadership, as opposed to our elected representatives.
5
@Dunn Arceneaux The problem is not the money that some countries sent to the "Amazon Fund." The problem is that, in the past government, this money was used to favor NGOs, which were used by European governments, as a way out for smuggling wealth from the Amazonian florata. Corruption is the problem.
This summer, Maine and the government of Panamá banned plastic bags at great inconvenience to their citizens. I suspect that in a hundred years the non-use of plastic packaging in Maine and Panamá could not make up for an hour's worth of carbon released into the atmospere as a result of the uncontrolled Amazon rainforest fires. The actions of Trump and the Trump of South America can do nothing but discourage those of in places trying to ease the problem of climate change.
2
The amazon is burning, and nobody is trying to find a solution. Every official is so busy focusing on accusing and pointing fingers to who they think is the wrong person. They are acting more worried about who has the better reputation and publicity. They're not focused on the current Amazon which is starting to burn yot pieces. I am not sure they understand the full extent of this problem. We need to focus more on the problems our earth is facing and less on the social issues of our world. We need to stop pointing fingers and separating from one another. We need to come together as one and find a way to fix the problems that truly matter.
1
Bolsonaro considers the pointed criticism of Brazil's burning forests to be an invocation of a "misplaced colonial mindset"? The fact that there is a beef industry in Brazil is a colonial mindset. Cattle come from Eurasia (Anatolia originally), and were brought to the Americas by European colonists. He doesn't get to play the victim here, Brazil benefitted from colonialism far more than was harmed by it. As the cattle are Eurasian, Macron and the rest of Eurasian world leaders have every right to criticize, condemn, and to interfere. Eurasia exported livestock to the rest of the world, and the rest of the world has no right to pollute the air and water that will eventually affect Eurasia itself.
1
Mr. Bolsonaro fired Dr. Ricardo Galvão- a renowned scientist and director of INPE, the state agency responsible of monitoring deforestation and fires, just because the agency released the devastating new data regarding the drastic increases in Amazon deforestation since Mr. Bolsonaro took the office. Dr. Galvão was then replaced by a military non-scientist. The Bolsonaro government then completely dismantled IBAMA, the state agency responsible for inspecting and applying fees to entities that are damaging the environment. Mr. Bolsonaro himself, before he took office, was fined by IBAMA for illegal fishing- the employee who fined Bolsonaro was recently fired, and Bolsonaro fines cancelled. INPE now is constrained in its ability to monitor (often now censured by the Government), IBAMA constrained in its ability to fine violators (dismantled in personnel and resources) and the prosecutors constrained by the lack of monitoring and investigation by the aforementioned agencies. That should suffice for the widespread destruction of natural habitats in Brazil. But, in addition to that, Bolsonaro government, including Mr. Salles, the head of the Brazilian EPA (Ministry of Environment), frequently mingle with anti-environment cattle and agriculture farmers and lobbyists, daily minimize the important of preservation and laugh of deforestation reports. Mr. Salles, for instance, is currently being investigated by ilegal moneymaking deals with mining companies. We have a perfect storm.
8
I applaud President Macron and I hope he succeeds in either halting the assault on the rain forest or killing the deal. I do find some hypocrisy in the US when it comes to farming practices and timber cutting limits. In Iowa corn is grown right to the edge of waterways, and fertilizer runoff has killed just about everything in the water in several states. We used to have quite a rain forest between Oregon and California, but only 10% is left. Only 4% of redwoods have been protected. If it weren't for the constant efforts of environmental agencies, we wouldn't have any old growth left. So where is the outrage for what is happening right here in the US?
4
@Teddi Take Macron to take care of america. Not here in Brazil. We don't want it here. We have already kicked them out in the past. We will drive out again.
Some facts if anyone is interested:
-NASA recently reported that “satellite observations indicated that total fire activity in the Amazon basin was slightly below average in comparison to the past 15 years”
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/145464/fires-in-brazil
(Note: On Aug 22 NASA wordsmiths changed the phrase “slightly below average” to “close to the average”. The original phrasing is available on the internet archive.)
-The 80% increase reported by the Brazilian space agency is the total NUMBER of fires in Brazil, “more than half” of which are in the amazon region, so it is difficult to reach any conclusion about amazon rainforest loss based on that statistic.
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/amazon-rainforest-on-fire-2019/
-When Emmanuel Macron declared “our house is burning” on Twitter he posted a photo from 2012.
https://www.nature.com/news/amazon-fire-analysis-hits-new-heights-1.11467
Some perspective: Deforestation rates in the Brazilian amazon were about 4% from both 1990-2000 and 2000-2010. Since 2010 an additional 1.2% has been lost, so the rate of loss has decreased dramatically.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deforestation_of_the_Amazon_rainforest
As an environmentalist I hope that trend continues under Bolsonaro, however I have a feeling the alarmist rhetoric and name calling from elitists like Macron is not going to help the cause.
1
Some facts if anyone is interested.
-NASA recently reported that “satellite observations indicated that total fire activity in the Amazon basin was slightly below average in comparison to the past 15 years”:
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/145464/fires-in-brazil
(Note: On Aug 22 NASA wordsmiths changed the phrase “slightly below average” to “close to the average”. The original phrasing is available on the internet archive.)
-The 80% increase reported by the Brazilian space agency is the total NUMBER of fires in Brazil, “more than half” of which are in the amazon region, so it is difficult to reach any broad conclusion about Brazilian rainforest loss based on that statistic:
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/amazon-rainforest-on-fire-2019/
-When Emmanuel Macron declared “our house is burning” on Twitter he posted a photo that goes back to at least 2012. Here’s the photo:
https://www.nature.com/news/amazon-fire-analysis-hits-new-heights-1.11467
Some perspective. Deforestation rates in the Brazilian amazon were about 4% both from 1990-2000 and 2000-2010. Since 2010 an additional 1.2% has been lost, so the rate of loss has decreased dramatically:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deforestation_of_the_Amazon_rainforest
As an environmentalist I hope that trend continues under Bolsonaro, however I have a feeling the alarmist rhetoric and name calling from elitists like Macron is not going to help the cause.
3
@Stephen Unfortunately we have no way of telling this to the whole world. Congratulations on your report. Perfect.
I would block the purchase of all Embraer aircraft as well as anything that is produced on farms that were created by burning the Amazon...beef, soy beans, etc.
3
Takeaways: lets also think of precious animals burning to death horribly or losing their habitat and ability to survive; lets also think of the indigenous population that long has live in reasonable balance with the Amazon basin also losing their habitat; bravo for France's President taking leadership as America's President is too busy glorifying himself; Macon is right that farmers doing the right thing should not be at a competitive disadvantage against those who don't; underlying the problem is rapid population growth in Brazil needing more space and resources as their numbers, 123 million in 1980 has grown to about 212 million now, that topic needs to be addressed
6
To those who think that France and Germany have no business interfering with Brazil’s internal affairs, I assume that you are Republicans, probably Trump’s supporters.
So let me ask you this question, what did you think of the plan suggested by W’s administration to force Brazil to relinquish control of the Amazon to the USA, to protect it from deforestation? It was quickly forgotten as it was as absurd as Trump’s idea to buy Greenland from Denmark.
3
@Gvaltat Very good!
Bolsonaro is Trump’s soul brother. Their contempt for the environment is a dire threat to our children and our grandchildren. It is inconceivable to me how anyone, American or Brazilian, can support an enemy of the planet. If there is no limit to the environmental and social damage people are willing to accept, them we are surely doomed.
1
Let's assume that every American house owner chose to plant four trees on the front lawn, and another four to six in the backyard, thus more or less eliminating the "American" lawn:
1. Would that help cool the climate?
2. Would that help reduce water consumption?
3. Would that help the environment (e.g. by using less pesticides)?
4. Would that be enough to compensate, at least in part, for the damage done by these Amazon fires?
4
@Fran It certainly wouldn’t help solar energy.
Macron is a real leader who is on the right side of history. Standing up for younger generations. I wish the United States has a leader like that. 2021 I hope.
43
@Steve Too bad he isn’t popular in his own country.
@Steve Only if it's America's leader. I don't even know if it's a leader in France! Anyway, take him to rule america. Not here.
@Steve
Perhaps we should ask the Yellow Vest (Gilets Jaunes) protesters in France about Macron being on ‘the right side of history.’
Good for Macron! Wow - actual leadership?
75
Time for a boycott of any and everything from Brazil until they stop this destructive madness.
53
@kay. What do you buy from Brazil?
2
This is a major initiative that the U.S. is no longer in a position to influence. Thanks to our current leadership, we now depend on the kindness and wisdom of the allies we disdain to take the tiller and save the world from the likes of Bolsonaro. In the meantime our Stalinist leader is trying to dictate to our major corporations how to run their enterprises to suit his ego.
33
@Sam Honest Brazilians are happy with Bolsonaro. Thank you for your concern.
1
Shame on Britain, whose small minded amoral PM is trying to get a free trade deal with Brazil after Macron announced he will not ratify the E.U.-Brazilian agreement with the fires. How low can you sink?
Shame on Trump, who is enabling the extremists around the world and who, as always, couldn’t care less about the future of this planet. We need to vote this man out, no matter who the other candidate is.
68
@Anne Do explain how he is enabling extremists. I thought the yellow vests were Macron’s problem.
1
The world must boycott Brazilian products until it stops killing the environment.
54
@Richard The world needs to start seeing the rain forest as an oxygen factory for which Brazil gets compensated.
Good luck selling that idea to Trump and his ilk, for whom nature is just in the way of profit.
1
@Richard
I will, I promise.
@Richard. What products?
Right-wing authoritarian goons need to be brought to heel with economic sanctions. Bullies only respond to strong interventions.
38
Unfortunately that might include boycotting the United States.
@Markymark
There are exactly no right wing authoritarians left on this planet but loads of leftist thugs.
In any event, how’s the environment in leftist paradises like China, North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela doing?
France rocks !!!
80
@Parigino Yes! Macron might be a bit of a narcissist, but he is a force for the good.
I’m also glad his changes are now bearing fruit and unemployment is falling in France. We need leaders like him on the world stage.
2
Instead of planning to invade Venezuela and get rid of Maduro, we need to focus on how to get rid of Bolsonaro.
35
The Western nations need to prepare plans to pay Brazil for the oxygen their forests produce. We cannot simply demand that they stop using their resources. If we want to preserve the rain forests, we will have to pay.
48
Seriously? This doesn’t affect all of us? We don’t all need to breathe?
6
@William
Norway was paying Brazil, and the fires still happened.
3
@William
Indeed. Some may think this is problematic, but in the long run it is the ONLY viable solution. We will always need to deal with human nature and Brazil is a relatively poor country. A large destitute population will monetize the Amazon Forrest one way or another.
2
The unfolding climate disruption is unprecedented in recorded history. Even the information from things like ice cores provide only a crude understanding of which developments like the amazon fires accelerate other global catastrophes.
And just when we need a true leader who believes in science and reality, we have Trump as president of the most powerful country on the planet. We're seeing just how bad things can get.
38
What business do France and Germany interfering with internal Brazilian matters? I thought we were done with colonialism. Brazil is a developed first word country now, not too much different from the US.
14
@Wolf Bein The willful destruction of the rainforest should be framed as an aggressive action by a hostile nation. An act of war. And we should respond in kind.
88
@Wolf Bein Because this isn't an internal Brazilian matter, it effects everyone in the world.
102
@Wolf Bein
well, uh, we all want to be able to continue breathing. This goes for humans and all living creatures. I was brought up to believe this area of our planet is the earth's lungs.
70
This can only be solved on the international level with much diplomacy and FAMILY PLANNING.
28
@Justvisitingthisplanet Agree, but the fires are now, so we have to act now...
The works needs the rainforest more than it needs Bolsonaro and his followers. Eventually we will have to choose between the two. They are mutually exclusive.
16
Trump could not care less about the Amazon or anything else that does not directly benefit him but it is good to see that bonafide world leaders are taking notice. The future of the planet hinges upon the Amazon basin, virtually every political tool should be employed to stop this madness.
27
Here we go. Just one of what will certainly be numerous conflicts caused by climate change and its effects.
26
Good for Macron. He has a difficult job, but appears to be one of the few world leaders committed to making the world a better place.
77
@Russell Macron is only looking for an excuse to kill the trade pact with South America. The Amazon is just a good excuse.
5
@FM and that is perfectly fine. Without the European market, there will be less demand for the Brazilian agro-business products and less of a push for Amazon deforestation. Here, the trade-war escalation can help further, because neither China nor US will be in position to compensate for the loss of revenue by Brazilian farmers. The purchasing power decline could inevitably lead to a reduced demand.
6
@FM good enough for me & for most. Right?
1
Trump and his Brazilian counterpart couldn’t care less for the environment. To them it’s the almighty dollar they worship. If the world’s environment is destroyed in the process, so be it, they won’t be around to suffer their consequences.
31
humanity does not deserve to survive.
18
@Mike
Will you volunteer to set an example?
If not, then why suggest this?
1
At a rise in temperature of 3 degrees C above preindustrial temperature, which we're quickly losing the ability to avoid, one paper noted that the Amazon Rainforest might completely burn, releasing enough carbon to raise temperature another 1.5 degrees C, pushing us well into a 4 degree world.
The current fires in the Amazon are helping to push us towards the 3C which might mean the death of the whole forest, and us.
29
Better start preparing for the next wave of environmental refuges from Brazil as they kill their golden goose.
27
It is unfortunate that our country is governed by an unskilled person. He is authoritarian and racist.
It attacks democracy and does not accept opinions contrary to his.
We are desperate with this president.
I feel shame.
36
Oh. I thought you were talking about trump.
19
@Paula Thank you for pointing out many Brazilians disagree with Bolsonaro. You know what to do.
8
Too bad we do not have a president.
16
Read the headline and thought What did Jeff Bezos do again?
LOL
6
@Ronald - I had the same thought.
Bolsanaro is just another corrupt , greedy and immoral leader in the mold of Donald Trump... He doesn't care about the health of his own country let alone the rest of the world... Just wants to line his own pockets with the bribes and corruption he enables and engages in... Truly disgraceful
23
@Soothsayer
Bolsonaro is corrupt? Really? Do you have any proof of this?
If not, it's prima facie defamation.
Climate change is a global emergency that demands global action. Thank you President Macron for showing the leadership to actually respond to this attack on our planet's lungs. More leaders need to do the same. I fear, however, that America will sit this one out, at least until 2021. But I'm not sure we can afford to wait that long.
50
It must be very difficult to flourish in the Amazon. Yet in books I've read about the early European explorers there, the indigenous peoples seemed to do ok. Their traditional knowledge was 'magical' (for instance, they knew how to transform poisons into edible foods) and they understood that individualism was anathema to survival. I don't expect people in this modern, global economy, with the comforts they are used to, to live like that. But surely a step or two in that direction would be a good thing? Rather than demonizing indigenous peoples, we should be learning broad lessens from them, and working together to make this world a better place for all.
35
California wildfire season is soon upon us and with all the rain we had this winter coupled with the high temperatures this summer the fires are expected to be large, numerous and everywhere. As a Californian I brace for Macron's wrath as well.
5
@John Doe
If all of the Californian wild fires will be man-made and inspired by politics, I´m sure Macron will be angry with you!
12
@John Doe
So you guys are intentionally setting fire to forests in California to make way for beef, soy and mining?
Get real. This is an extinction level event on many level event unfolding, if the Amazon collapses it is over for humanity.
27
Mr. Bolsonaro is likely a willing bribe taker.
While it may be highly distasteful, it is absolutely necessary to do whatever possible to stop this wanton destruction of this essential global treasure called the Amazon forrest.
Apparently the former president of Mexico received $100 million from drug cartels. The Amazon is worth that and I think Bolsonaro would love the cash - structured appropriately in payments to ensure a bargain kept.
There are some good and decent billionaires up to this task I hope.
17
@Will.
I lived in Brazil 13 years and the previous Worker's Party had the biggest corruption scheme in the history of Brazil.
People are guessing on the order of $1 Billion.
If I were to give odds of us acting commensurately with organized human life I’d say low confidence.
The world’s starting to burn and we’re just throwing gasoline on the fire.
17
Brazil's Bolsonaro may be a thug and a buffoon for not only letting this happen, but encouraging it, on his watch... but the hard facts are that leaving the Amazon to be the Amazon is a positive externality: an action whose costs are localized, but the benefits are distributed, in this case to the entire world.
Externalities are tough to balance - every party acting in their own self-interest inevitably results in everybody losing. Within a country, this job would fall to government regulations to subsidize the party bearing the costs and distribute them to all the beneficiaries. Between countries, though, the international community is going to have to seriously unite if they want to solve this problem fairly to all parties.
...Basically, the rest of the world should be negotiating a worldwide bribe to Brazil to keep the Amazon pristine. It sounds sleazy and extortionate, but it's actually *the* fair solution to this, for all parties.
57
@Tom I agree. The positive externality to the rest of the world must be transferred in part to Brazil. Maybe a tax on worldwide beef retail sales, since cattle are a leading cause of deforestation (and methane), which would go to Brazil, Argentina and other large beef producers.
17
@Tom
Well said @Tom. We could pay Brazil to maintain their Amazonian forests and they could pay the US for maintaining our Federal and State forests. Both Bolsonaro and Trump declare themselves "winners" and we save our own forests from mismanagement.
1
Would this be happening if we had concerned American leadership to pressure Brazil? Probably not. Certainly not to this extent.
Thank a so called “Green” Party voter.
What a cruel irony the indirect role that organization plays in the destruction of this planet and its animals.
20
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro apparently can't see the rain forest for the trees. Since the entire planet's well-being is dependent on the well-being of the Amazon forest, if Bolsonaro can't or won't protect that forest he's opening it up for military occupation by those who will.
17
This line of thought, no matter how logical it may seem and how succesfull it has been in the past, is unfortunately also part of what clouds the future of humanity. We can't keep reasoning like glorified sword wielding tribes and expect that there is a future where we do not doom ourselves.
This is an EMERGENCY! The whole world is watching them burn! Thank God we have REAL leaders in Macron and Merkel!!! I hope this will lead discussions at G6! How can it be that Bolsonaro, with his right wing agenda, should hold the fate of our world’s rainforest????
25
Instead of sending American troops to wars we can’t win in Europe or the Middle East the UN needs to send troops to keep out the Brazilian loggers , farmers and other pillagers who the Brazil president gave permission to abuse the land. Sending the troops will be good for the world and save humanity.
14
Umm do we pay Brazil to keep it a rain forest? Is that amount of money anything close to what they can make from these lands? Have you ever let anyone from another country tell you how to live?! Are you all aware American suburbs have a no tree aesthetic? Try policing your domestic equals before you judge others.
13
Does the phrase, “lungs of the planet,” ring any bells for ya?
14
I agree with you 100% @Robert but I'm looking out my front window and I see 3 Range Rovers, a Suburban, and a dump truck. On the same block, two perfectly good homes were recently torn down and small castles were put in their place. This is all on a single street in liberal DC. Here we call our rain forest burning gentrification or urban renewal- the destruction of perfectly good stuff for shoddy newer stuff. Our air quality is low on a regular basis. The good people in the neighborhood are traveling to Peru and Portugal on the regular, because they need it. Aren't we all just as bad as Trump and Mr. B?
3
These are man made fires not wildfires. This is how they clear the land for agriculture and cattle in Brazil. What a disgrace that we have a "Brazilian Trump". It is sad and most unfortunate that these unscrupulous greedy right wing unethical cons get into power through lies and a platform of hate , and then proceed to destroy the planet regardless of the well being of the rest of humanity. This is a global crisis of epic proportion. Wake up people go out and vote these people out in 2020.
30
This is what environmental leadership looks like. One can only hope that our next president has half the brains and courage of Macron and Merckel.
33
Boycott Brazil. Cancel trade agreements. Isolate the nation. Then, let the people of Brazil remove this sick animal from office. The time for talk and "accords" is long over. When will we wake up?
34
Boycott the USA. Cancel trade agreements. Isolate the nation. Then, let the people of the USA remove this sick animal from office. The time for talk and "accords" is long over. When will we wake up?
3
Interesting background on the fires from Canada Broadcast Corp.
Amazon rainforest fires called a 'very serious threat' but misinformation is going viral.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/amazon-rainforest-fires-threat-social-media-1.5255992
1
About time we burned that company to the ground.
1
the Planet ( the only home LIFE, as we know it, has ) is being rendered into burnt toast...and so-called “leaders” argue like children...pathetic.
7
An international intervention is immediately required. If necessary, a military intervention.
25
What is lost to many is that not only is the Amazon one of the lungs of the world, storer of atmospheric carbon, a huge host of flora & fauna, but also a large water transfer vehicle. Given enough destruction, the Amazon might become the next Sahara.
35
Let no one doubt that the destruction of the Amazon rain forest has global implications for the health of the planet, and threatens as well countless species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, whose loss will be a sad indictment of human hubris and myopia.
82
Jair Bolsonaro uses the same authoritarian tactic that President Trump uses: blame outsiders and foreigners for any problems that arise. The more international outcry there is about about the fires, the more Bolsonaro strengthens his nationalist hand against international "interference" in Brazil's politics.
The Amazon is a perfect example of why nationalism is such a useless and destructive creed. Whether we like it or not, the Amazon is responsible for a great deal of our planet's oxygen, and for mitigating the worst effects of carbon dioxide and climate change. I doubt scientists's climate models account for rapid Amazonian deforestation. There is no bigger or scarier news story than this, and the authoritarianism that makes these fires possible will consume us all if we let it.
140
I have disagreed with the way (not the idea itself) Macron has carried out his proposals to combat climate change in France. But I must say, I totally agree on this one with Macron. He has the guts to call on Bolsonaro for what he really is: a liar. He has made Brazil’s problem global and urgent by discussing it at the G7. Because it is global. It concerns all of us. And it is Trumpian myopic from Bolsonaro to state that the world has to mind their own business!
129
Trumpian will be the new adjective for the next century.
9
How long will we allow this abuse of the earth and think that there will be no consequences for all of us? I feel like we are watching the slow destruction of our planet. And really, it's not so slow anymore. Someone needs to tell these bozos that greed and ego won't help you when there's no clean air to breathe or clean water to drink.
61
I just read that Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) is taking a stand in regard to Brazil and the US' financial support of Brazil right now--please urge your congresspeople to join with him! With glaciers melting, global warming accelerating at unprecedented levels, and no Green New Deal in place, we as members of this planet MUST act and INSIST our leaders do the same!
57
It's great he's taking a stand. In 80 years or less, Waikiki will not exist.
3
This is depressing the human race is once again choosing the path of evil where short term profits are put over the long term interests of our species and the planet we live upon... Greed, feckless capitalism and pride leads people down this path. When will we humans learn? I fear by the time we realize our crimes it will be too late...
24
Turns out Brazilian Trump is just as incompetent as American Bolsonaro! I guess running on a platform of "I hate the same people you do!" isn't really an effective strategy for running a government. Still.
45
The Irish have also come out against the trade agreement unless Brazil commit itself to helping to stop global warming.
50
It's our fault too. If you care, stop eating beef.
63
@Greg Ruben
I remember a cartoon I saw about 25 years ago showing a overweight gringo in a Hawaiian shirt standing up through the open sunroof of his giant SUV that is parked in the rainforest saying to a 3rd world farmer cutting down a tree "Yo, those are the earth's lungs!".
Yes I hate what is going on in the Amazon. I also like going to a Brazilian steakhouse in nearby Bellevue. I guess I shouldn't be doing that any longer.
9
@Jay Drop the guess.
1
President Macron should scrap the Mercosur agreement in any event due to the fact that Brazil is poisoning it's food beyond belief. Nobody in their right mind would eat that stuff. Let the Brazilians stew in their own swill.
30
Another populist wanna be dictator in the mold of Trump will join forces with Trump in expediting climate change in exchange for fast profits for special interests .Bolsonaro seems to be as erratic and nasty as Trump another egomaniac impressed with himself on the attack to make himself feel better.
20
I'm sorry Violent Dictator Bolsonaro, but if what is happening in your country imperils the entire planet, expect the true leaders from other areas of the globe to "interfere" and intervene in an escalating pattern, bringing consequences raining down on your head. This is no different than if one's next door neighbor was building an atomic pile.
36
Keep eating those burgers, Brazil will clearing the forest for cattle.
27
This is what happens when an 8 year old is elected leader of the free world. Good job deplorables.
Oh by the way, I have an advanced degree from MIT and developing Robotic Process Automation to robotize all blue collar jobs in the Mid West. Yeah, I love you too.
18
It's pretty rich of Bolsonaro to throw accusations of "colonialist mind-set" on Macron, when that is exactly his own MO vis a vis the indigenous peoples of the Amazon.
117
Bravo Mr. Macron. Thank you! I feel like this is not being talked about enough here in the US. Can our representatives talk about it too?
102
@Sam unfortunately no - if you check how conservative media news outlets are reporting this, they are focusing on how environmentalists (which is a dirty word for them) are attacking this “poor pro-business” Brazilian president. I also am seeing commentary around discrediting the photos of the fire as being fake. If we want to change the conversation - we first have to get people to take their fingers out of their ears.
18
@Sam Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) is already taking action. Please encourage your representatives to join him!!!
12
Encapsulates the future problems of stemming global warming: countries elect different governments every few years, with different policies. Ten yers of build-up can be ruined in a few months even.
We need strong international institutions to wear down these weak strongmen that will inevitably pop up, I´m suspecting the recent trend is only the beginning (as the global catastrophe builds up steam).
44
Thank you, Mr Macron, for pushing for definitive actions to combat climate change. We need to get moving to purge the world economy of fossil fuels, preserve forests, and establish a sustainable economy.
165
@Dave
Western countries are hypocritical in trying to force Brazil to be greener, while they are the culprits in destroying the planet with their superfluous and wasteful consumption. Macron and friends, put your house in order first before you even dare to condemn Brazilian destruction of their land.
3
@Dave. The fires have nothing to do with climate change. They are being set by the farmers.
2
@Jackson
NASA has said that an increasing frequency of droughts, combined with human activity, is the cause of the fires. NASA said in a statement: “The intensity and frequency of droughts in turn, have been linked with increases in regional deforestation and anthropogenic climate change.” So droughts, caused by climate change, along with deforestation by farmers is causing the fires which will further impact climate change.
1
I am thrilled to see some of the world's leaders taking action about such an incredibly critical (and frightening!) issue! If only the US would follow suit, instead of "embracing" Brazil's "second Trump." Appalling! I hope constituents in the US will ask their representatives to put pressure on the US government to take a serious stand with Brazil, and that enough pressure will make a real difference.
172
Unfortunately everything is always just hot smoke. The people in charge don't do enough, and never will. No one has the courage to force something. Not even in their own countries
17