Economic experts, scientists, environmentalists have all expressed concerns about Brazil's new president Jair Bolsonaro as his policies bear conspicuous semblance to that of another controversial leader, U.S. President Donald Trump.
Of particular concern is his seemingly anti-environmental agenda that could threaten the already vulnerable Amazon forest.
On Oct. 29, an adviser for Bolsonaro confirmed a controversial move which he promoted during campaign period: Brazil's agriculture and environmental departments would be merged into one. The plan has the potential to open the Amazon - also known as the "lungs of the planet - to organizations with only business in mind according to critics.
Before his election win, Bolsonaro's environmental plans have already sparked condemnation among scientists and environmentalists. The president, who already earned the moniker "Tropical Trump," at one point, said he would construct a highway through the Amazon forest. He also mentioned banning environmental watchdogs such as Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund from operating in Brazil.
Bolsonaro, at times, floated the idea of withdrawing Brazil from the 2015 Paris climate accord, following the footsteps of Trump.
On Tuesday, WWF reminded Bolsonaro that a strong economy actually relies in a healthy environment.
Andre Nahur, WWF's climate change, and energy program coordinator explained in an interview with AFP that significant segments of a country's economy such as agribusiness and energy contribute to GDP.
Nahur highlighted that regions like the Amazon are nearing their threshold where environmental damage could no longer be reversed. Against this backdrop, the new Brazilian president should recognize the massive role of socio-environmental issues and how its neglect could harm the country's economic growth.
The AFP noted that the Amazon forest has been suffering from deforestation, expanding at an annual rate of about 52,000 square kilometers. WWF said about 20 percent of the Amazon rainforest has been damaged in the past 50 years.
In a statement, Amazon Watch Program Director Christian Poirier also condemned Bolsonaro's election for the country's highest seat. He called Bolsonaro's plan to industrialize the Amazon "reckless." He said such a move would just pave the way for international agribusiness and mining sectors to vehemently abuse the rainforest, bringing destruction to local communities and disaster for the worldwide climate.
True to his moniker as "Tropical Trump," Bolsonaro has also earned condemnation for some comments that degrade women and minority groups. At times, he also dropped threats of taking lands from Indigenous communities. He had also said that he prefers his son dead than come out as homosexual.
The controversial Brazilian president also believed that allowing people free access to guns would stop crime in the country and that police could exercise undue force to the people.
