Brazil senate considers lifting ban on sugarcane production in Amazon
Brazil senate considers lifting ban on sugarcane production in Amazon
The bill condemned by environmentalists would allow ethanol production, driving more deforestation and unravel protections
Dom Phillips in Rio de Janeiro
@domphillips
Mon 26 Mar 2018 19.21 EDT
A bill being rushed through Brazil’s senate would lift a ban on the cultivation of sugarcane for ethanol fuel in the Amazon, driving more deforestation and making it harder for the country to meet its commitments under the Paris Climate Deal.
The bill, which has been roundly condemned by environmentalists, companies and even Brazil’s union of sugarcane producers (UNICA), marks the latest move by a conservative congress to unravel Amazon protections.
Five former environment ministers have also criticised it. “This is another setback that should not thrive,” said one, José Carvalho.
Under a 2009 decree, sugar cane production is not allowed in the Amazon biome.
Allowing the highly-profitable crop to be raised on deforested land in the region would push out other crops and encourage more deforestation, said Marcio Astrini, public policy coordinator for Greenpeace in Brazil.
It could be “one of the biggest disasters for the forest,” he said.
More:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/26/brazil-senate-considers-lifting-ban-on-sugarcane-production-in-amazon
Environment and energy:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1127116200