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| Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has soared under President Bolsonaro. (Photo by= Reuters) |
[Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] Dozens of US and Brazilian celebrities have urged President Joe Biden to not sign any environmental deal with Brazil as deforestation in the Amazon rises. In a letter, they said an accord risked legitimizing a government that was encouraging environmental destruction, BBC reported.
According to the open letter, the 35 celebrities told President Biden to "not commit to any agreements with Brazil at this time" and that any deal should listen to indigenous and environmental groups as well as state and local governments first. Celebrities like actor Leonardo DiCaprio and singers Katy Perry, Gilberto Gil, and Caetano Veloso are among those who signed it. President Jair Bolsonaro has weakened protections and called for economic development in the rainforest. The US and Brazil have been holding talks since February on the possibility of collaborating to stop the increasing destruction of the Amazon, the world's largest rainforest.
A deal could see Brazil receiving financial aid in return for protecting the region. President Bolsonaro is among the world leaders who will join a virtual US-led climate summit on Thursday. A deal is unlikely to be announced at the event. Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon surged to a 12-year high last year. The far-right leader, who took office in January 2019, has encouraged agriculture and mining in the area and rolled back environmental legislation.
