Due to economic interests, one of humanity’s main allies in the fight against climate change is being lost, sacrificed for the sake of profit

AKEL on the fires in the Amazon

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 27 August 2019, Nicosia

It is with sadness and anguish that we are following the evolution of the fires in the Amazon. The magnitude of the ecological disaster that is going on will never be reversed. Severe weather phenomena and natural disasters are without doubt one of the results of climate change. According to the Brazilian National Institute for Space Research, the number of fires identified by satellite in the Amazon region this month is the highest since 2010.

Unfortunately, our concerns are being verified. Since Brazilian President Bolsonaro took office, deforestation has increased suddenly throughout Brazil, including the regions inhabited by the indigenous peoples. Mr. Bolsonaro has pledged to make it easier for industries to gain access to protected areas, arguing that the indigenous communities have control of too many large areas which contain enormous wealth. Furthermore, a few months after Bolsonaro has threatened to abandon the Paris Agreement and merge the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment.

The Amazon is the planet’s most important habitat. Due primarily to economic interests, one of humanity’s main allies in the fight against climate change is being lost, sacrificed for the sake of profit.

In view of these developments, the Central Committee of AKEL and the Central Council of EDON Youth Organisation will organize a symbolic event. Details will be announced soon.