In a meeting recently held at the Brazilian Ministry of Environment, the bishops of the Brazilian Amazon expressed their main concerns about the socio-environmental crisis affecting the region, underlining the urgent need to implement effective public policies for the protection of Amazonian territories and communities.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) and the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), which made it possible to highlight the importance of inter-institutional collaboration to address the problems facing the region.
Topics Addressed: Socio-environmental Crisis and Sustainable Transition
During the meeting, the bishops presented an updated diagnosis of the socio-environmental situation in the Amazon, based on a consultation carried out in 2023 with local communities. In this sense, they warned about the imbalance in the approach, since the natural riches of the Amazon have been prioritized above the needs and rights of its inhabitants. “The focus on the riches of the Amazon has been greater than the focus on the people who live there,” they noted, urging a just transition towards a sustainable economy that includes the Amazonian populations in the decision-making process.
The main topics addressed included infrastructure in the region, the role of the Amazon in the context of COP30, and the strengthening of environmental agencies responsible for the protection of biodiversity.
Government Commitment: challenges and future challenges
For her part, the Minister of the Environment, Marina Silva, reaffirmed the commitment of the Brazilian government to maintain an open dialogue with the various social actors and work on the implementation of concrete solutions. Among the measures announced, the strengthening of environmental organizations stood out, with new powers to Ibama and ICMBio, as well as the expansion of the State’s presence in the Amazon.
Participants also stressed the importance of continuing dialogue and strengthening partnerships between the government, local communities and international organizations. Regarding progress, efforts were recognized in the reconstruction of public policies, such as reducing deforestation and strengthening environmental agencies charged with enforcing protection laws.
Critical Challenges: from illegal mining to pollution
However, several persistent challenges were also identified. The illegal mining, the mercury pollution and the racketeering They continue to be problems of great impact for the region. In particular, mercury pollution, a result of illegal mining, continues to seriously affect the environment and the health of Amazonian communities. Recent data shows that Amazonian cities have recorded the worst air quality in the last 20 years, due to fires and the burning of diesel, which further aggravates the environmental crisis.
Monitoring of mercury contamination, carried out by organizations such as Ibama and Funai, revealed alarming levels of contamination in the soil, water and blood of local populations, highlighting the urgency of stricter measures regarding illegal mining and the protection of natural resources.
Heading to COP30: financing and climate action
As part of the preparations for the COP30, the need to implement concrete actions to confront climate change was highlighted, beyond general agreements. A critical point addressed was the climate finance, with a call to guarantee a adequate financing for the most vulnerable countries. The objective is to ensure 1.3 trillion dollars annually, but the COP29 he only managed to compromise 300 billion dollars, leaving a significant shortfall in needed funds.
The position of USA was identified as an obstacle to achieving significant progress, although it is hoped that both national and international pressure can encourage greater commitment to the global climate agenda.
A comprehensive vision for the Amazon
In response to this panorama, the REPAM Brazil insisted on the need for a comprehensive approach that considers the reality of the Amazonian peoples and guarantees solutions sustainable and fair for the region. With the Amazon as the epicenter of the climate and social crisis, the role of Brazilian government and the international community It will be fundamental in defining the future of this region, vital both for global biodiversity and for the communities that depend on it.
Fountain: REPAM Brazil