BRASILIA, Brazil: President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has announced urgent measures to combat the severe drought and fires ravaging the Brazilian Amazon, amid rising pressure to address the environmental crisis. The historic drought, attributed to climate change, has exacerbated fires, creating clouds of smoke that have reached as far as Uruguay and Argentina.
In response to a Supreme Court order calling the fires a “pandemic,” Lula visited communities in the northern state of Amazonas, which are experiencing the worst drought in 70 years. The drought has dried up rivers essential for navigation, food, and water supply. To alleviate the situation, the government has planned dredging works on the Amazon River and other waterways and will deliver water purifiers to affected communities.
Lula also announced the establishment of a new authority to tackle “extreme climate risks,” a campaign promise devised by Environment Minister Marina Silva. Silva emphasized that such climate events will become increasingly frequent and intense.
The drought and fires have severely impacted Brazil, with more than 5,000 active fire outbreaks reported, accounting for 76% of all fire-affected areas in South America. Over 6.7 million hectares of the Brazilian Amazon have burned this year, equivalent to 1.6% of the rainforest. With Sao Paulo recorded as the world’s most polluted major city, Lula acknowledged the “delicate” situation and the urgent need for climate adaptation measures.
