Will my president save the Amazon? (commentary)
Voters in Brazil, Peru, and Colombia are set to elect new presidents, which could significantly impact the Amazon rainforest. Environmental issues have been largely overlooked in recent debates, despite the increasing threats posed by deforestation and climate change. The future of the Amazon and the well-being of millions depend on the choices made by these voters.
- ▪Together, Brazil, Peru, and Colombia contain roughly 82% of the Amazon rainforest.
- ▪Brazil has experienced dramatic swings in deforestation, influenced heavily by government policies.
- ▪In Peru, political instability has coincided with record levels of Amazon deforestation in recent years.
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Voters in Brazil, Peru, and Colombia will soon choose presidents whose policies could shape the future of roughly 82% of the Amazon rainforest.Environmental issues have been largely absent from recent presidential debates, even as droughts, floods, deforestation, illegal mining, and organized crime increasingly threaten public well-being and national economies.Protecting the Amazon should be treated as an economic, social, and public health priority, argues Peruvian American ecologist Enrique Ortiz, because the forest helps sustain water supplies, food production, energy systems, and climate stability across South America.This article is a commentary.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Mongabay — News.
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