Brazil`s foreign minister and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/europe-has-nothing-to-teach-brazil-about-preserving-environment-says-bolsonaro-as-amazon-fires-soar-246740">President Jair Bolsonaro</a>`s son met with US President Donald Trump on Friday to discuss the fires ravaging the Amazon rainforest, although no concrete measures to deal with the blazes were announced.

Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Eduardo Bolsonaro said there could be an announcement later, potentially after his return to Brasilia on Saturday and consultations with his father.&nbsp;

Bolsonaro has said he will appoint Eduardo as Brazil`s ambassador to the United States, but the controversial nomination has yet to be sent to the Senate for voting and confirmation.

The far-right Brazilian president sees the vast Amazon area as ripe for economic development and crucial to Brazilian sovereignty. He has been critical of what he has called interference, mostly from European countries, preferring to enter into potential talks for help fighting the fires with those he sees as allies, such as Trump and Chilean President Sebastian Pinera.

The talks with Trump largely focused on topics beyond the fires` scope, including trade, according to Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo.

"(Trump) reiterated various things: a willingness to work with us to sustainably develop the Amazon, a huge interest in a broad trade agreement with us," Araujo said.

The United States, Chile, Israel and Ecuador have already offered support in fighting the worst rash of fires in the Amazon rainforest since 2010, the country`s joint military chief told reporters in Brazil earlier.

The number of fires receded after Brazil`s military joined the firefighting efforts last week, although the latest statistics from Brazilian space research agency INPE showed a new spike. On Thursday, 1,255 fires were registered in the Amazon, the highest number for a single day since Aug. 17, according to INPE data.

'Our dear Macron'

President Bolsonaro tweeted on Friday that he had also spoken with German Chancellor Angela Merkel about the fires, a conversation which he said reaffirmed Brazil`s sovereignty over the rainforest.

He said that according to the European External Action Service, the EU diplomatic wing, satellite images show that fires in Brazil were lower year-to-date compared to the same period in 2018. Reuters was not immediately able to verify that.

Such data would directly contradict figures from INPE that show fires from Jan. 1 to Aug. 29 were up 77% compared to the same period a year ago.

"I am ready to talk with some people, except our dear Macron, unless he apologizes about our sovereignty over the Amazon," Bolsonaro said earlier in the day, referring to French President Emmanuel Macron.

Earlier this week Bolsonaro said he would not accept an offer of at least $20 million from the Group of Seven rich nations to help fight the Amazon fires unless Macron withdrew what he called "insults" against him.

The two leaders have become embroiled in a public war of words over Brazil`s handling of the Amazon fires and the international response. 
Eduardo Bolsonaro told reporters outside the White House that Brazil could not accept an offer like Macron`s.

"This isn`t aid that comes with good intentions. It`s aid that comes with other interests," he said. "This would disrespect Brazilians. It would subjugate our Brazilian-ness."&nbsp;

Brazil is also facing economic pressure over its perceived slow response to the surge in fires and deforestation. On Friday, the asset management arm of Nordea , one of the Nordic region`s biggest banks, said it was suspending purchases of Brazilian government bonds.

Norwegian pension fund KLP, which has $80 billion in assets under management, said this week it had contacted US companies Bunge , Cargill and Archer Daniels Midland asking for "concrete action" to protect the rainforest.&nbsp;

In statements to Reuters on Friday, Bunge and ADM reaffirmed their commitments to keep deforestation out of their supply chains. Cargill did not immediately respond to request for comment.

On Thursday, VF Corp , maker of Timberland, Vans and other apparel brands, said it would stop buying leather from Brazil over environmental concerns.

Brazil`s foreign minister and President Jair Bolsonaro`s son met with US President Donald Trump on Friday to discuss the fires ravaging the Amazon rainforest, although no concrete measures to deal with the blazes were announced.

Brazil`s foreign minister and President Jair Bolsonaro`s son met with US President Donald Trump on Friday to discuss the fires ravaging the Amazon rainforest, although no concrete measures to deal with the blazes were announced. Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Eduardo Bolsonaro said there could be an announcement later, potentially after his return to Brasilia on Saturday and consultations with his father. Bolsonaro has said he will appoint Eduardo as Brazil`s ambassador to the United States, but the controversial nomination has yet to be sent to the Senate for voting and confirmation. The far-right Brazilian president sees the vast Amazon area as ripe for economic development and crucial to Brazilian sovereignty. He has been critical of what he has called interference, mostly from European countries, preferring to enter into potential talks for help fighting the fires with those he sees as allies, such as Trump and Chilean President Sebastian Pinera. The talks with Trump largely focused on topics beyond the fires` scope, including trade, according to Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo. "(Trump) reiterated various things: a willingness to work with us to sustainably develop the Amazon, a huge interest in a broad trade agreement with us," Araujo said. The United States, Chile, Israel and Ecuador have already offered support in fighting the worst rash of fires in the Amazon rainforest since 2010, the country`s joint military chief told reporters in Brazil earlier. The number of fires receded after Brazil`s military joined the firefighting efforts last week, although the latest statistics from Brazilian space research agency INPE showed a new spike. On Thursday, 1,255 fires were registered in the Amazon, the highest number for a single day since Aug. 17, according to INPE data. 'Our dear Macron' President Bolsonaro tweeted on Friday that he had also spoken with German Chancellor Angela Merkel about the fires, a conversation which he said reaffirmed Brazil`s sovereignty over the rainforest. He said that according to the European External Action Service, the EU diplomatic wing, satellite images show that fires in Brazil were lower year-to-date compared to the same period in 2018. Reuters was not immediately able to verify that. Such data would directly contradict figures from INPE that show fires from Jan. 1 to Aug. 29 were up 77% compared to the same period a year ago. "I am ready to talk with some people, except our dear Macron, unless he apologizes about our sovereignty over the Amazon," Bolsonaro said earlier in the day, referring to French President Emmanuel Macron. Earlier this week Bolsonaro said he would not accept an offer of at least $20 million from the Group of Seven rich nations to help fight the Amazon fires unless Macron withdrew what he called "insults" against him. The two leaders have become embroiled in a public war of words over Brazil`s handling of the Amazon fires and the international response. Eduardo Bolsonaro told reporters outside the White House that Brazil could not accept an offer like Macron`s. "This isn`t aid that comes with good intentions. It`s aid that comes with other interests," he said. "This would disrespect Brazilians. It would subjugate our Brazilian-ness." Brazil is also facing economic pressure over its perceived slow response to the surge in fires and deforestation. On Friday, the asset management arm of Nordea , one of the Nordic region`s biggest banks, said it was suspending purchases of Brazilian government bonds. Norwegian pension fund KLP, which has $80 billion in assets under management, said this week it had contacted US companies Bunge , Cargill and Archer Daniels Midland asking for "concrete action" to protect the rainforest. In statements to Reuters on Friday, Bunge and ADM reaffirmed their commitments to keep deforestation out of their supply chains. Cargill did not immediately respond to request for comment. On Thursday, VF Corp , maker of Timberland, Vans and other apparel brands, said it would stop buying leather from Brazil over environmental concerns.

Brazil officials, Bolsonaro's son meet with Trump to discuss Amazon fires

A 60-day ban on burning in Brazil takes effect Thursday after a global outcry over fires raging in the Amazon and data showing hundreds of new blazes in the rainforest.

The decree issued by President Jair Bolsonaro comes after escalating international pressure over the worst fires in the Amazon in years that have ignited a diplomatic spat between Brazil and Europe.

But activists quickly doused hopes that the ban would work.

"The people who burn without a license are not going to obey," said Rodrigo Junqueira of the Socio-Environmental Institute.&nbsp;

Thousands of troops and firefighters have been deployed since the weekend to combat the fires, along with two C-130 Hercules and other aircraft that are dumping water over the hardest-hit areas in the country's north.

More than 1,600 new fires were ignited between Tuesday and Wednesday, taking this year's total to almost 85,000 -- the highest number since 2010, official data shows. More than half of them are in the vast Amazon basin.

The new figures comes as UN chief Antonio Guterres on Thursday mooted a meeting of key countries to drum up support to tackle the fires that have also devastated swaths of Bolivia.&nbsp;

"We are strongly appealing for the mobilization of resources and we have been in contact with countries to see whether, during the high-level session of the General Assembly, there could be a meeting devoted to the mobilization of support to the Amazon," Guterres told reporters.

Ban 'not useful'

International offers of help for combatting the fires is a hot-button issue in Brazil, with Bolsonaro and others insisting on the country's sovereign rights over the Amazon.

Bolsonaro on Wednesday accused France and Germany of "buying" Brazil's sovereignty after the G7 offered $20 million in Amazon fire aid.

Vice President Hamilton Mourao -- widely considered a moderate voice in Bolsonaro's government -- also weighed in publicly for the first time on Wednesday, insisting in an opinion piece that "our Amazon will continue to be Brazilian."

The governors of several states in the Amazon told Bolsonaro in a meeting on Tuesday that international help was needed.

Their plea came after Norway and Germany halted around $70 million in Amazon protection subsidies earlier this month.&nbsp;

The United States is ready and willing to help Brazil fight forest fires in the Amazon, President Donald Trump said Wednesday, criticizing the G7 for failing to consult Bolsonaro over its initiative. &nbsp;

Bolsonaro also renewed a demand Wednesday that French leader Emmanuel Macron withdraw "insults" against him, fueling a war of words between the two men that threatens to torpedo a huge trade deal between the European Union and South American countries, including Brazil.

In the escalating row, Macron has accused Bolsonaro of lying to him about Brazil's climate change stance, while Bolsonaro has slammed Macron as having a colonialist mentality.&nbsp;

"I think Bolsonaro is causing enormous harm to the Brazilian people, a little out of evil and a little out of ignorance," former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told the BBC from jail where he is serving a nearly nine-year sentence for corruption.

Even as Bolsonaro's decree was published Thursday, there were already doubts over how Brazil would enforce the two-month ban on burning in the remote region where deforestation has surged this year as agencies tasked with monitoring illegal activities were weakened.

"It will not be useful," a sceptical fruit shop owner in Porto Velho, the capital of the northwestern state of Rondonia, told AFP.

"There's insufficient supervision." &nbsp;

WWF said Brazil already had laws and tools to detect illegal deforestation and burning, but it lacked enforcement.

"The certainty of impunity is the great spark that starts the fires," WWF said.&nbsp;

Experts say increased land clearing during the months-long dry season to make way for crops or grazing has aggravated the recurring problem of fires.

The defence ministry says the fires are under control and that the number of blazes is falling, helped by recent rain in the affected areas.

A 60-day ban on burning in Brazil takes effect Thursday after a global outcry over fires raging in the Amazon and data showing hundreds of new blazes in the rainforest.

A 60-day ban on burning in Brazil takes effect Thursday after a global outcry over fires raging in the Amazon and data showing hundreds of new blazes in the rainforest. The decree issued by President Jair Bolsonaro comes after escalating international pressure over the worst fires in the Amazon in years that have ignited a diplomatic spat between Brazil and Europe. But activists quickly doused hopes that the ban would work. "The people who burn without a license are not going to obey," said Rodrigo Junqueira of the Socio-Environmental Institute. Thousands of troops and firefighters have been deployed since the weekend to combat the fires, along with two C-130 Hercules and other aircraft that are dumping water over the hardest-hit areas in the country's north. More than 1,600 new fires were ignited between Tuesday and Wednesday, taking this year's total to almost 85,000 -- the highest number since 2010, official data shows. More than half of them are in the vast Amazon basin. The new figures comes as UN chief Antonio Guterres on Thursday mooted a meeting of key countries to drum up support to tackle the fires that have also devastated swaths of Bolivia. "We are strongly appealing for the mobilization of resources and we have been in contact with countries to see whether, during the high-level session of the General Assembly, there could be a meeting devoted to the mobilization of support to the Amazon," Guterres told reporters. Ban 'not useful' International offers of help for combatting the fires is a hot-button issue in Brazil, with Bolsonaro and others insisting on the country's sovereign rights over the Amazon. Bolsonaro on Wednesday accused France and Germany of "buying" Brazil's sovereignty after the G7 offered $20 million in Amazon fire aid. Vice President Hamilton Mourao -- widely considered a moderate voice in Bolsonaro's government -- also weighed in publicly for the first time on Wednesday, insisting in an opinion piece that "our Amazon will continue to be Brazilian." The governors of several states in the Amazon told Bolsonaro in a meeting on Tuesday that international help was needed. Their plea came after Norway and Germany halted around $70 million in Amazon protection subsidies earlier this month. The United States is ready and willing to help Brazil fight forest fires in the Amazon, President Donald Trump said Wednesday, criticizing the G7 for failing to consult Bolsonaro over its initiative. Bolsonaro also renewed a demand Wednesday that French leader Emmanuel Macron withdraw "insults" against him, fueling a war of words between the two men that threatens to torpedo a huge trade deal between the European Union and South American countries, including Brazil. In the escalating row, Macron has accused Bolsonaro of lying to him about Brazil's climate change stance, while Bolsonaro has slammed Macron as having a colonialist mentality. "I think Bolsonaro is causing enormous harm to the Brazilian people, a little out of evil and a little out of ignorance," former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told the BBC from jail where he is serving a nearly nine-year sentence for corruption. Even as Bolsonaro's decree was published Thursday, there were already doubts over how Brazil would enforce the two-month ban on burning in the remote region where deforestation has surged this year as agencies tasked with monitoring illegal activities were weakened. "It will not be useful," a sceptical fruit shop owner in Porto Velho, the capital of the northwestern state of Rondonia, told AFP. "There's insufficient supervision." WWF said Brazil already had laws and tools to detect illegal deforestation and burning, but it lacked enforcement. "The certainty of impunity is the great spark that starts the fires," WWF said. Experts say increased land clearing during the months-long dry season to make way for crops or grazing has aggravated the recurring problem of fires. The defence ministry says the fires are under control and that the number of blazes is falling, helped by recent rain in the affected areas.

Brazil's burning ban takes effect as Amazon fires rage

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro signed a decree Wednesday to ban burning throughout the country for two months, government sources cited in local media said, as the authorities scramble to defuse the Amazon fires which have triggered a global outcry.

The blazes that have engulfed parts of the world's largest rainforest — which is crucial for maintaining a stable global climate — have also sparked a diplomatic spat between Brazil and Europe that threatens to torpedo a major trade deal.

The decree, which will be officially published on Thursday, prohibits any burning for the next 60 days, barring some exceptions in cases of approved agricultural and forestry practices, media reports said.

It comes as Bolsonaro's renewed demand that French leader Emmanuel Macron withdraw "insults" against him cast doubt on whether Brazil would accept the G7's offer of $20 million to help combat the fires.

Bolsonaro initially rejected the G7's offer, saying on Tuesday that he would be willing to accept it only if Macron withdrew his "insults," before appearing to change his mind to say Brazil would accept foreign aid on the condition that it controlled the money.

But later on Wednesday, the South American leader fired a fresh salvo.

"Only after he withdraws what he said... we can talk again," Bolsonaro told reporters Wednesday, referring to Macron.

He also accused France and Germany of "buying" the Latin American country's sovereignty with Amazon fire aid.

"It seems that $20 million is our price. Brazil doesn't have a price of 20 million or 20 trillion -- it's the same thing for us," he said.

Macron has accused Bolsonaro of lying to him about his commitments on climate change and vowed to block the EU-Mercosur trade deal involving Brazil that took decades to negotiate.

An aide to President Donald Trump said Wednesday the US was ready to assist with the Amazon crisis, but only if it involved the Brazilian government.

"We didn't agree to a G7 initiative that failed to include consultations w/ @jairbolsonaro . The most constructive way to assist w/ Brazil's ongoing efforts is in coordination w/ the Brazilian Gov," National Security Council spokesman Garrett Marquis tweeted late Wednesday.

Bolsonaro's latest remarks make him and his government appear "increasingly unhinged," said Robert Muggah, from a Rio de Janeiro think tank, the Igarape Institute.

"There don't appear to be any adults left in the room with the ability or inclination to restrain his worst impulses," Muggah said.&nbsp;

No liars

On Monday, Macron rebuked the "extraordinarily rude" Bolsonaro after the Brazilian leader personally expressed approval for a supporter's Facebook post implying that Brigitte Macron was not as attractive as his own wife, Michelle Bolsonaro.

The Brazilian leader has since removed the comment from social media to avoid misinterpretation, his spokesman Otavio Rego Barros told reporters Wednesday.

Vice President Hamilton Mourao -- widely considered to be a moderate voice in Bolsonaro's government -- also weighed in publicly for the first time.

In an opinion piece published in the conservative Estado de S&nbsp;Paulo newspaper, Mourao criticized an "international campaign" against Brazil and said the country "does not lie and nor does its president, its government and its institutions."

Bolsonaro said Brazil would accept bilateral aid to fight the fires, saying yes to Chile's offer of four aircraft. "We all love the Amazon, but the nine Amazon countries... have sovereignty" over it, Chile's President Sebastian Pinera said.

The outcry over the fires has alarmed industries in Latin America's largest economy. They fear potential boycotts of their products. 
Global brands have threatened to suspend leather purchases from Brazil over the country's environmental policies, according to a document sent by the Brazil Tanneries Industry Center to the government.

Fires are also ravaging neighbouring Bolivia where President Evo Morales and his rival in upcoming elections have suspended campaigning to deal with the blazes.

Bolsonaro on Wednesday supported Peru and Colombia's proposal for an emergency Amazon summit in September so regional countries could coordinate a strategy to protect the vast rainforest.

The latest official figures show 1,044 new fires were started Monday and Tuesday, taking the total this year to 83,329 -- the highest since 2010 -- even as military aircraft and troops help battle the blazes.

More than half of the fires are in the massive Amazon basin.

In the hard-hit northwestern state of Rondonia, thick smoke has choked the capital Porto Velho as fires blacken swaths of the rainforest.&nbsp;

But the defense ministry insists the fires are under control. It has published satellite data it says show a reduction in the number of blazes in the nine states spanning the Amazon.

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro signed a decree Wednesday to ban burning throughout the country for two months, government sources cited in local media said, as the authorities scramble to defuse the Amazon fires which have triggered a global outcry.

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro signed a decree Wednesday to ban burning throughout the country for two months, government sources cited in local media said, as the authorities scramble to defuse the Amazon fires which have triggered a global outcry. The blazes that have engulfed parts of the world's largest rainforest — which is crucial for maintaining a stable global climate — have also sparked a diplomatic spat between Brazil and Europe that threatens to torpedo a major trade deal. The decree, which will be officially published on Thursday, prohibits any burning for the next 60 days, barring some exceptions in cases of approved agricultural and forestry practices, media reports said. It comes as Bolsonaro's renewed demand that French leader Emmanuel Macron withdraw "insults" against him cast doubt on whether Brazil would accept the G7's offer of $20 million to help combat the fires. Bolsonaro initially rejected the G7's offer, saying on Tuesday that he would be willing to accept it only if Macron withdrew his "insults," before appearing to change his mind to say Brazil would accept foreign aid on the condition that it controlled the money. But later on Wednesday, the South American leader fired a fresh salvo. "Only after he withdraws what he said... we can talk again," Bolsonaro told reporters Wednesday, referring to Macron. He also accused France and Germany of "buying" the Latin American country's sovereignty with Amazon fire aid. "It seems that $20 million is our price. Brazil doesn't have a price of 20 million or 20 trillion -- it's the same thing for us," he said. Macron has accused Bolsonaro of lying to him about his commitments on climate change and vowed to block the EU-Mercosur trade deal involving Brazil that took decades to negotiate. An aide to President Donald Trump said Wednesday the US was ready to assist with the Amazon crisis, but only if it involved the Brazilian government. "We didn't agree to a G7 initiative that failed to include consultations w/ @jairbolsonaro . The most constructive way to assist w/ Brazil's ongoing efforts is in coordination w/ the Brazilian Gov," National Security Council spokesman Garrett Marquis tweeted late Wednesday. Bolsonaro's latest remarks make him and his government appear "increasingly unhinged," said Robert Muggah, from a Rio de Janeiro think tank, the Igarape Institute. "There don't appear to be any adults left in the room with the ability or inclination to restrain his worst impulses," Muggah said. No liars On Monday, Macron rebuked the "extraordinarily rude" Bolsonaro after the Brazilian leader personally expressed approval for a supporter's Facebook post implying that Brigitte Macron was not as attractive as his own wife, Michelle Bolsonaro. The Brazilian leader has since removed the comment from social media to avoid misinterpretation, his spokesman Otavio Rego Barros told reporters Wednesday. Vice President Hamilton Mourao -- widely considered to be a moderate voice in Bolsonaro's government -- also weighed in publicly for the first time. In an opinion piece published in the conservative Estado de S Paulo newspaper, Mourao criticized an "international campaign" against Brazil and said the country "does not lie and nor does its president, its government and its institutions." Bolsonaro said Brazil would accept bilateral aid to fight the fires, saying yes to Chile's offer of four aircraft. "We all love the Amazon, but the nine Amazon countries... have sovereignty" over it, Chile's President Sebastian Pinera said. The outcry over the fires has alarmed industries in Latin America's largest economy. They fear potential boycotts of their products. Global brands have threatened to suspend leather purchases from Brazil over the country's environmental policies, according to a document sent by the Brazil Tanneries Industry Center to the government. Fires are also ravaging neighbouring Bolivia where President Evo Morales and his rival in upcoming elections have suspended campaigning to deal with the blazes. Bolsonaro on Wednesday supported Peru and Colombia's proposal for an emergency Amazon summit in September so regional countries could coordinate a strategy to protect the vast rainforest. The latest official figures show 1,044 new fires were started Monday and Tuesday, taking the total this year to 83,329 -- the highest since 2010 -- even as military aircraft and troops help battle the blazes. More than half of the fires are in the massive Amazon basin. In the hard-hit northwestern state of Rondonia, thick smoke has choked the capital Porto Velho as fires blacken swaths of the rainforest. But the defense ministry insists the fires are under control. It has published satellite data it says show a reduction in the number of blazes in the nine states spanning the Amazon.

Brazil bans burning for two months to defuse Amazon crisis

WION Edit: Why Amazon Forest Fires matter to India ?

On Gravitas at 9 pm, Palki Sharma analyses why Brazil rejected aid to save the Amazon and Indonesia's attempt to build a new capital city.

Gravitas: Pakistan hatches nefarious plots over India's Kashmir decision

Carlos Nobre, Climate Scientist, Univ of Sao Paulo speaks on Amazon Fire

Carlos Nobre, Climate Scientist on Amazon Fire

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - August 28th, 2019

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Wednesday that South American countries would meet to determine a common policy in defence of the Amazon rainforest, and took another swipe at France for an offer of $20 million in aid.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Wednesday that South American countries would meet to determine a common policy in defence of the Amazon rainforest, and took another swipe at France for an offer of $20 million in aid. In an indication that Bolsonaro, a far-right conservative, is forging closer ties with neighbouring countries than European nations, he also accepted Chile's offer of four aircraft to help fight the fires sweeping through the world's largest rainforest. × Speaking to journalists after a meeting with Chilean President Sebastian Pinera in Brasilia, Bolsonaro said a meeting with regional neighbours except Venezuela to discuss a common policy in defence of the Amazon will be held on September 6 in the Colombian city of Leticia. Pinera offered his full backing to Bolsonaro, saying the sovereignty of the nations that share the Amazon had to be respected, while Bolsonaro said Brazil's sovereignty had "no price, not even $20 trillion." That was a reference to an offer of $20 million aid announced by French President Emmanuel Macron at a summit of the G7 wealthy nations in Biarritz over the weekend, which Bolsonaro dismissed as an insulting attempt to "buy" Brazil's sovereignty. Macron has accused Bolsonaro, a longtime sceptic of environmental concerns, of lying about climate change. "The French government called me a liar. Only after it has recanted what it said about me ... and the Brazilian people, who do not accept this diminution of the Amazon's sovereignty ... if so, then we can talk again," Bolsonaro said. Brazil's Environment Minister Ricardo Salles, who shares Bolsonaro's scepticism of environmental concerns and has been at the forefront of the Brazilian government's response to the Amazon crisis, remained in the Armed Forces Hospital in Brasilia on Wednesday. Salles, 44, was admitted to the hospital's emergency unit on Tuesday after complaining of not feeling well, the hospital said in a statement. Hospital staff opted to carry out "routine examinations," and he is in stable condition, it said.

Brazil announces South American meeting on Amazon, accepts Chile's help

Adriane E. Meulbert, Brazilian Ecologist on Amazon fire. To know more

Adriane E. Meulbert on Brazil rejected millions in Amazon aid

The Amazon is not on fire. There are fires in the Amazon rainforest, as there are every year in July-September, because this is the dry season. There may be more fires than usual this year, and it may even be the fault of Jair Bolsonaro, the Donald Trump mini-me who became the president of Brazil last January, but that is not still clear.

Yet, there is a great outcry, with French President Emmanuel Macron saying that Bolsonaro lied to him about his stance on climate change. Macron is even threatening to withhold French ratification of the recently signed free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur (of which Brazil is the biggest member).

Meanwhile, British prime minister Boris Johnson declares that it is “an international crisis”, and Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel calls the fires “an acute emergency...for the whole world.” The Finnish foreign minister even suggests that the EU should boycott Brazilian beef. Concerted international action at last!

Well, no. They might have done it at the G7 summit of the world’s richest countries in Biarritz, but they all knew it would just prompt another Donald Trump walk-out like last year’s. And some of their advisers may be warning them by now that they are not on very safe grounds when they paint Bolsonaro as the sole culprit of the piece.

Bolsonaro is not a good person. He is an obtuse and obnoxious bully who doesn’t give a fig about the climate and advocates ‘developing’ the Amazon in ways that would ultimately destroy the rainforest.

When environmental activists claimed that farmers encouraged by Bolsonaro’s incendiary rhetoric were setting fires to clear Amazonian land for ranching, he blamed the activists themselves, saying that they were setting the fires to discredit him. He had no evidence, he admitted, but he had a “feeling” about it.

Of course, Brazilian farmers and the agribusiness interests behind them are setting fires to destroy bits of the forest, but this is not new with Bolsonaro. The amount of forest they destroyed annually went into steady decline after the Workers’ Party (PT) took power in 2003, but the damage has been trending back up again since the last PT president, Dilma Rousseff, was impeached by Congress in 2015.

Bolsonaro is definitely the icing on the cake, but it’s questionable how much impact he has had after less than eight months in power. The number of fines handed out for illegal burning has dropped by a third this year, but the great majority of illegal burns always went unpunished anyway.

When Brazil’s National Space Research Institute reported an 88% increase in deforestation in June compared with the same month a year ago, nobody except Bolsonaro questioned the data. But, that was before this year’s burning season (Queimada) began, and presumably referred to losses of forest due to illegal logging and land-clearing for mining operations, not to fires.

When the same Brazilian space institute claimed more recently that satellite data showed an 83% increase this year in forest fires, mainly in the Amazon region, Bolsonaro promptly fired its director, claiming that he was manipulating the data for political reasons.

Bolsonaro’s relationship with the truth is as distant as Trump’s, but it must be pointed out that NASA’s Earth Observatory — also relying on satellite data — reported on 22 August that “total fire activity across the Amazon basin this year has been close to the average in comparison to the past 15 years.”

There is, to be sure, a pall of smoke hanging over São Paulo — Brazil’s biggest city — at the moment. It’s as bad as Singapore six years ago or Vancouver last summer, and there’s no doubt that it comes from forest fires. They are, however, fires in the Bolivian part of the Amazon, not Brazil’s.

What the hell, you may say. Bolsonaro may not be guilty this time, but he’s guilty of lots of other things, so let’s hang him anyway. This is not a wise way of proceeding, even if you are doing it with the best of intentions. 
 
(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-bolsonaro-may-not-be-the-real-culprit-of-the-amazon-fire-2785439">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The Amazon is not on fire. There are fires in the Amazon rainforest, as there are every year in July-September, because this is the dry season. There may be more fires than usual this year, and it may even be the fault of Jair Bolsonaro, the Donald Trump mini-me who became the president of Brazil last January, but that is not still clear.

The Amazon is not on fire. There are fires in the Amazon rainforest, as there are every year in July-September, because this is the dry season. There may be more fires than usual this year, and it may even be the fault of Jair Bolsonaro, the Donald Trump mini-me who became the president of Brazil last January, but that is not still clear. Yet, there is a great outcry, with French President Emmanuel Macron saying that Bolsonaro lied to him about his stance on climate change. Macron is even threatening to withhold French ratification of the recently signed free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur (of which Brazil is the biggest member). Meanwhile, British prime minister Boris Johnson declares that it is “an international crisis”, and Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel calls the fires “an acute emergency...for the whole world.” The Finnish foreign minister even suggests that the EU should boycott Brazilian beef. Concerted international action at last! Well, no. They might have done it at the G7 summit of the world’s richest countries in Biarritz, but they all knew it would just prompt another Donald Trump walk-out like last year’s. And some of their advisers may be warning them by now that they are not on very safe grounds when they paint Bolsonaro as the sole culprit of the piece. Bolsonaro is not a good person. He is an obtuse and obnoxious bully who doesn’t give a fig about the climate and advocates ‘developing’ the Amazon in ways that would ultimately destroy the rainforest. When environmental activists claimed that farmers encouraged by Bolsonaro’s incendiary rhetoric were setting fires to clear Amazonian land for ranching, he blamed the activists themselves, saying that they were setting the fires to discredit him. He had no evidence, he admitted, but he had a “feeling” about it. Of course, Brazilian farmers and the agribusiness interests behind them are setting fires to destroy bits of the forest, but this is not new with Bolsonaro. The amount of forest they destroyed annually went into steady decline after the Workers’ Party (PT) took power in 2003, but the damage has been trending back up again since the last PT president, Dilma Rousseff, was impeached by Congress in 2015. Bolsonaro is definitely the icing on the cake, but it’s questionable how much impact he has had after less than eight months in power. The number of fines handed out for illegal burning has dropped by a third this year, but the great majority of illegal burns always went unpunished anyway. When Brazil’s National Space Research Institute reported an 88% increase in deforestation in June compared with the same month a year ago, nobody except Bolsonaro questioned the data. But, that was before this year’s burning season (Queimada) began, and presumably referred to losses of forest due to illegal logging and land-clearing for mining operations, not to fires. When the same Brazilian space institute claimed more recently that satellite data showed an 83% increase this year in forest fires, mainly in the Amazon region, Bolsonaro promptly fired its director, claiming that he was manipulating the data for political reasons. Bolsonaro’s relationship with the truth is as distant as Trump’s, but it must be pointed out that NASA’s Earth Observatory — also relying on satellite data — reported on 22 August that “total fire activity across the Amazon basin this year has been close to the average in comparison to the past 15 years.” There is, to be sure, a pall of smoke hanging over São Paulo — Brazil’s biggest city — at the moment. It’s as bad as Singapore six years ago or Vancouver last summer, and there’s no doubt that it comes from forest fires. They are, however, fires in the Bolivian part of the Amazon, not Brazil’s. What the hell, you may say. Bolsonaro may not be guilty this time, but he’s guilty of lots of other things, so let’s hang him anyway. This is not a wise way of proceeding, even if you are doing it with the best of intentions. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Jair Bolsonaro may not be the real culprit of the Amazon fires

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Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro said Tuesday he was open to discussing G7 aid for fighting fires in the Amazon if his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron "withdraws insults" made against him, news agency AFP reported.

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro said Tuesday he was open to discussing G7 aid for fighting fires in the Amazon if his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron "withdraws insults" made against him, news agency AFP reported. "To talk or accept anything from France, with the best possible intentions, he (Macron) has to withdraw these words, and from there we can talk," AFP quoted Bolsonaro as saying. The two leaders have become embroiled in a deeply personal and public war of words in recent days, with Bolsonaro mocking Macron's wife on Facebook and accusing the French leader of disrespecting Brazil's sovereignty. Speaking to reporters in Brasilia on Tuesday, Bolsonaro appeared to adopt a slightly more conciliatory stance. "Did I say that? Did I?" Bolsonaro said when questioned about Lorenzoni's comments. "First of all, Macron has to withdraw his insults. He called me a liar. Before we talk or accept anything from France ... he must withdraw these words then we can talk," Bolsonaro said. "First he withdraws, then offers (aid), then I will answer." Earlier the Brazilian government has rejected G7 aid of 20 million euros to fight Amazon fires. "We appreciate (the offer), but maybe those resources are more relevant to reforest Europe," Onyx Lorenzoni, chief of staff to President Jair Bolsonaro, told the G1 news website. "Macron cannot even avoid a foreseeable fire in a church that is a world heritage site. What does he intend to teach our country?" Lorenzoni continued, referring to the fire in April that devastated the Notre-Dame cathedral. Macron had accused Bolsonaro of lying about a June pledge to fight global warming and threatened to block efforts to seal a major trade deal between the EU and South America's Mercosur nations over the Amazon crisis. (With inputs from agencies)

Brazil President Bolsonaro open to G7 aid if Macron 'withdraws insults'

A few charred trees are all that remain in this patch of the Amazon after it was ravaged by fires, a sombre scene which has angered the international community as a record number of fires in the Amazon rainforest intensified an unfolding environmental crisis.

Drone reveals aftermath of Amazon fires

Hundreds of new fires have flared up in the Amazon in Brazil, data showed Monday, even as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g7-pledges-millions-to-help-fight-amazon-fires-245803">military aircraft dumped water over hard-hit areas and G7 nations pledged to help combat the blazes</a>.

Smoke choked Port Velho city as fires raged in the northwestern state of Rondonia where fire-fighting efforts are concentrated, amid a growing global uproar and a diplomatic spat between France and Brazil.

Two C-130 Hercules aircraft carrying thousands of liters of water on Sunday began dousing fires devouring chunks of the world's largest rainforest, which is seen as crucial to keeping climate change in check. &nbsp;

Swaths of the remote region have been scorched by the worst fires in years, sending thick smoke billowing into the sky.

Experts say increased land clearing during the months-long dry season to make way for crops or grazing has aggravated the problem this year.&nbsp;

The worsening crisis has fueled a row between President Jair Bolsonaro and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, who has been piling pressure on Bolsonaro to do more to protect the forest.

Macron on Monday condemned "extraordinarily rude" comments made about his wife Brigitte by Bolsonaro a day earlier.

Bolsonaro hit back, accusing Macron of treating Brazil like "a colony or no-man's land."

The spat comes as G7 nations meeting in southwestern France agreed to spend 20 million euros ($22 million) on the Amazon, mainly to send fire-fighting aircraft.&nbsp;

The G7 club also agreed to support a medium-term reforestation plan which will be unveiled at the UN in September, Macron and Chile's President Sebastian Pinera said.

Although about 60 per cent of the Amazon is in Brazil, the vast forest also spreads over parts of eight other countries or territories.

Bolivian President Evo Morales said Sunday he would accept international help to combat wildfires raging in his country's southeast as he suspended his election campaign to deal with the crisis.&nbsp;

Brazil has accepted help from Israel, which offered to send an aircraft. &nbsp;

Seven states, including Rondonia, have requested the Brazilian army's help in the Amazon, where more than 43,000 troops have been made available to combat fires.

It is not clear how many of them are actually involved in fire-fighting efforts so far.

After initially blaming the fires on non-government organizations, Bolsonaro on Friday vowed a "zero tolerance" approach to criminal activities in the Amazon and promised strong action to control the blazes.

Dozens of firefighters arrived in Porto Velho on Sunday and Justice Minister Sergio Moro has given the green light for the deployment of security forces to tackle illegal deforestation.&nbsp;

The latest official figures show 80,626 forest fires have been recorded in Brazil this year, the highest number of any year since at least 2013. &nbsp;

More than half of the fires are in the massive Amazon basin.&nbsp;

Some 1,113 new fires were ignited between Saturday and Sunday, according to Brazil's National Institute for Space Research.

Hundreds of new fires have flared up in the Amazon in Brazil, data showed Monday, even as military aircraft dumped water over hard-hit areas and G7 nations pledged to help combat the blazes.

Hundreds of new fires have flared up in the Amazon in Brazil, data showed Monday, even as military aircraft dumped water over hard-hit areas and G7 nations pledged to help combat the blazes. Smoke choked Port Velho city as fires raged in the northwestern state of Rondonia where fire-fighting efforts are concentrated, amid a growing global uproar and a diplomatic spat between France and Brazil. Two C-130 Hercules aircraft carrying thousands of liters of water on Sunday began dousing fires devouring chunks of the world's largest rainforest, which is seen as crucial to keeping climate change in check. Swaths of the remote region have been scorched by the worst fires in years, sending thick smoke billowing into the sky. Experts say increased land clearing during the months-long dry season to make way for crops or grazing has aggravated the problem this year. The worsening crisis has fueled a row between President Jair Bolsonaro and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, who has been piling pressure on Bolsonaro to do more to protect the forest. Macron on Monday condemned "extraordinarily rude" comments made about his wife Brigitte by Bolsonaro a day earlier. Bolsonaro hit back, accusing Macron of treating Brazil like "a colony or no-man's land." The spat comes as G7 nations meeting in southwestern France agreed to spend 20 million euros ($22 million) on the Amazon, mainly to send fire-fighting aircraft. The G7 club also agreed to support a medium-term reforestation plan which will be unveiled at the UN in September, Macron and Chile's President Sebastian Pinera said. Although about 60 per cent of the Amazon is in Brazil, the vast forest also spreads over parts of eight other countries or territories. Bolivian President Evo Morales said Sunday he would accept international help to combat wildfires raging in his country's southeast as he suspended his election campaign to deal with the crisis. Brazil has accepted help from Israel, which offered to send an aircraft. Seven states, including Rondonia, have requested the Brazilian army's help in the Amazon, where more than 43,000 troops have been made available to combat fires. It is not clear how many of them are actually involved in fire-fighting efforts so far. After initially blaming the fires on non-government organizations, Bolsonaro on Friday vowed a "zero tolerance" approach to criminal activities in the Amazon and promised strong action to control the blazes. Dozens of firefighters arrived in Porto Velho on Sunday and Justice Minister Sergio Moro has given the green light for the deployment of security forces to tackle illegal deforestation. The latest official figures show 80,626 forest fires have been recorded in Brazil this year, the highest number of any year since at least 2013. More than half of the fires are in the massive Amazon basin. Some 1,113 new fires were ignited between Saturday and Sunday, according to Brazil's National Institute for Space Research.

More fires flare up in Amazon as Brazil warplanes fight blazes

Brazil on Sunday deployed two Hercules C-130 aircraft to douse fires devouring parts of the Amazon rainforest, as hundreds of new blazes were ignited ahead of nationwide protests over the destruction.

Brazil on Sunday deployed two Hercules C-130 aircraft to douse fires devouring parts of the Amazon rainforest, as hundreds of new blazes were ignited ahead of nationwide protests over the destruction. Heavy smoke covered the city of Porto Velho in the northwestern state of Rondonia where the defence ministry said the planes have started dumping thousands of litres of water, amid a global uproar over the worst fires in years. Swathes of the remote region bordering Bolivia have been scorched by the blazes, sending thick smoke billowing into the sky and increasing air pollution across the world's largest rainforest. Experts say increased land clearing during the months-long dry season to make way for crops or grazing has aggravated the problem this year. "It gets worse every year this year, the smoke has been really serious," Deliana Amorim, 46, told AFP in Porto Velho where half a million people live. At least seven states, including Rondonia, have requested the army's help in the Amazon, where more than 43,000 troops are based and available to combat fires, officials said. The fires have triggered a global outcry and are a major topic of concern at the G7 meeting in Biarritz in southern France. World leaders at the summit have agreed to help the countries affected by the fires "as fast as possible," French President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday. His remarks come amid an escalating war of words with his Brazilian counterpart Jair Bolsonaro, who he has accused of lying over Brazil's stance on climate change. Bolsonaro has denounced what he calls Macron's "colonialist mentality." Trade deal at risk The fires threaten to torpedo a huge trade agreement between the European Union and South American countries, including Brazil, that took 20 years to negotiate. Pope Francis on Sunday also voiced concern for the rainforest, which he described as a "vital" lung for the planet. The latest official figures show 79,513 forest fires have been recorded in Brazil this year, the highest number of any year since 2013. More than half of the fires are in the massive Amazon basin, where more than 20 million people live. Some 1,130 new fires were ignited between Friday and Saturday, according to Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE). The new data come as protesters plan to take to the streets across Brazil on Sunday after thousands held demonstrations in the country and Europe on Friday.

Brazil's army fights Amazon fires after hundreds of new blazes ignite

Brazil has seen an 84% increase in fire outbreaks this year compared to the same period last year, the majority of which are in the Amazon.

Protests over Amazon fires break out across the world

Amazon continues to burn; Bolsonaro sends troops to fight fire. Watch video to know more.

Amazon continues to burn; Bolsonaro sends troops to fight fire

World leaders will talk about Climate Change in G7 Summit but protests have been taken place before the arrival of the leaders.

G7 Summit: World leaders to talk on Climate Change

he Amazon rainforest is being ravaged by flames. Soot from thousands of wildfires has blackened skies across Brazil, and the smoke is even visible from space.

Amazon rainforests are on fire; Destroying the lungs of the Earth

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro said on Friday he is considering deploying the army to help combat fires in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-ireland-may-block-eu-mercosur-deal-over-amazon-fire-245087">Amazon rainforest</a>, amid growing international pressure over the wildfires.

The fires raging in parts of the world's largest rainforest have sparked protests around the world, ignited a war of words between Bolsonaro and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, and threatened a blockbuster trade deal with the European Union.

The latest official figures show 76,720 forest fires were recorded in Brazil so far this year - the highest number for any year since 2013. More than half are in the Amazon.

"The tendency is that," Bolsonaro told reporters in Brazil's capital Brasilia when asked if he was considering sending the army to fight the fires.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/amazons-mura-tribe-vows-to-protect-sacred-land-245065/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

A decision would be made Friday morning, he added.

Bolsonaro's remarks come as demonstrations are held around the world over the fires in the Amazon forest, a region considered the "lungs of the planet" and seen as crucial to keeping climate change in check.&nbsp;

Protests are planned in Brazil's major cities later on Friday.&nbsp;

In an escalating public row over the blazes, Macron on Friday accused Bolsonaro of lying to him on Brazil's stance on climate change.&nbsp;

France would now block a trade deal between the European Union and the South American trade bloc Mercosur, which includes Brazil, a French presidential official said.&nbsp;

Macron had tweeted Thursday that fires burning in the Amazon amount to an international crisis and should be discussed as a top priority when the G7 countries meet this weekend in France.

Bolsonaro then blasted Macron for having a "colonialist mentality."

Ireland also threatened to block the trade deal if Brazil failed to curb the fires, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Friday.

"The extent of the fires in the Amazon area is shocking and threatening and not only for Brazil and the other affected countries, but also for the whole world," German Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman said Friday.

Environmental specialists say the fires have accompanied a rapid rate of deforestation in the Amazon region, which in July quadrupled compared to the same month in 2018, according to data from Brazil's National Institute for Space Research.

Bolsonaro instead attributes the fires to increased drought, and accuses environmental groups and NGOs of whipping up an "environmental psychosis" to harm Brazil's economic interests.

Neighboring Peru, which contains much of the Amazon basin, announced it was "on alert" for wildfires spreading from neighboring Brazil and Bolivia.

Paraguay and Bolivia are battling separate wildfires that have devastated large areas of their rainforests.

amj/ch

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro said on Friday he is considering deploying the army to help combat fires in the Amazon rainforest, amid growing international pressure over the wildfires.

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro said on Friday he is considering deploying the army to help combat fires in the Amazon rainforest, amid growing international pressure over the wildfires. The fires raging in parts of the world's largest rainforest have sparked protests around the world, ignited a war of words between Bolsonaro and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, and threatened a blockbuster trade deal with the European Union. The latest official figures show 76,720 forest fires were recorded in Brazil so far this year - the highest number for any year since 2013. More than half are in the Amazon. "The tendency is that," Bolsonaro told reporters in Brazil's capital Brasilia when asked if he was considering sending the army to fight the fires. A decision would be made Friday morning, he added. Bolsonaro's remarks come as demonstrations are held around the world over the fires in the Amazon forest, a region considered the "lungs of the planet" and seen as crucial to keeping climate change in check. Protests are planned in Brazil's major cities later on Friday. In an escalating public row over the blazes, Macron on Friday accused Bolsonaro of lying to him on Brazil's stance on climate change. France would now block a trade deal between the European Union and the South American trade bloc Mercosur, which includes Brazil, a French presidential official said. Macron had tweeted Thursday that fires burning in the Amazon amount to an international crisis and should be discussed as a top priority when the G7 countries meet this weekend in France. Bolsonaro then blasted Macron for having a "colonialist mentality." Ireland also threatened to block the trade deal if Brazil failed to curb the fires, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Friday. "The extent of the fires in the Amazon area is shocking and threatening and not only for Brazil and the other affected countries, but also for the whole world," German Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman said Friday. Environmental specialists say the fires have accompanied a rapid rate of deforestation in the Amazon region, which in July quadrupled compared to the same month in 2018, according to data from Brazil's National Institute for Space Research. Bolsonaro instead attributes the fires to increased drought, and accuses environmental groups and NGOs of whipping up an "environmental psychosis" to harm Brazil's economic interests. Neighboring Peru, which contains much of the Amazon basin, announced it was "on alert" for wildfires spreading from neighboring Brazil and Bolivia. Paraguay and Bolivia are battling separate wildfires that have devastated large areas of their rainforests. amj/ch

Brazil President Bolsonaro mulls deploying army to combat Amazon fires

Ireland may vote to block a trade deal between the EU and South American nations if Brazil fails to curb record<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-chief-calls-for-protection-of-amazon-rainforest-says-cant-afford-more-damage-to-source-of-oxygen-245080"> fires ravaging the Amazon</a>, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Friday.

"I am very concerned that this year has seen record levels of destruction of Amazonian forests by fire," he said in a statement.

"There is no way that Ireland will vote for the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement if Brazil does not honour its environmental commitments."&nbsp;

Varadkar added Ireland "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g20-calls-for-free-stable-trade-environment-warns-of-slowing-global-economy-231600">will monitor closely Brazil's environmental actions</a>" over the next two years ahead of European Union ratification of the Mercosur deal.

Once in force, it will cover markets of 780 million consumers representing a quarter of global gross domestic product.

He also criticised the "Orwellian" stance of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro of laying the blame for the fires on environmental campaign groups and NGOs.

Bolsonaro has also claimed activist groups are whipping up an "environmental psychosis" in a bid to harm Brazil's economic interests.

Official figures have recorded nearly 73,000 forest fires in Brazil over the first eight months of the year the highest number for any year since 2013.&nbsp;

The majority of the fires were in the Amazon.

Environmental experts say the fires have accompanied a rapid rate of deforestation in the Amazon region.

According to data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), the process of deforestation quadrupled this July in comparison to the same month in 2018.

Varadkar's warning came as other world leaders voiced concerns over the fires.

French President Emmanuel Macron labelled it "an international crisis" and called on the G7 to address the matter at their weekend summit, while UN chief Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply concerned".

"Our house is on fire. Literally. The Amazon, the lung of our planet which produces 20 percent of our oxygen is burning," Macron said on Twitter.&nbsp;

In Ireland Varadkar is already facing pressure over the Mercosur deal from the agriculture industry, particularly beef farmers.

They fear their sector already experiencing turbulence due to Brexit will be undercut by opening EU markets to 99,000 tonnes of South American beef imports each year under the terms of the pact.

Ireland may vote to block a trade deal between the EU and South American nations if Brazil fails to curb record fires ravaging the Amazon, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Friday.

Ireland may vote to block a trade deal between the EU and South American nations if Brazil fails to curb record fires ravaging the Amazon, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Friday. "I am very concerned that this year has seen record levels of destruction of Amazonian forests by fire," he said in a statement. "There is no way that Ireland will vote for the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement if Brazil does not honour its environmental commitments." Varadkar added Ireland "will monitor closely Brazil's environmental actions" over the next two years ahead of European Union ratification of the Mercosur deal. Once in force, it will cover markets of 780 million consumers representing a quarter of global gross domestic product. He also criticised the "Orwellian" stance of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro of laying the blame for the fires on environmental campaign groups and NGOs. Bolsonaro has also claimed activist groups are whipping up an "environmental psychosis" in a bid to harm Brazil's economic interests. Official figures have recorded nearly 73,000 forest fires in Brazil over the first eight months of the year the highest number for any year since 2013. The majority of the fires were in the Amazon. Environmental experts say the fires have accompanied a rapid rate of deforestation in the Amazon region. According to data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), the process of deforestation quadrupled this July in comparison to the same month in 2018. Varadkar's warning came as other world leaders voiced concerns over the fires. French President Emmanuel Macron labelled it "an international crisis" and called on the G7 to address the matter at their weekend summit, while UN chief Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply concerned". "Our house is on fire. Literally. The Amazon, the lung of our planet which produces 20 percent of our oxygen is burning," Macron said on Twitter. In Ireland Varadkar is already facing pressure over the Mercosur deal from the agriculture industry, particularly beef farmers. They fear their sector already experiencing turbulence due to Brexit will be undercut by opening EU markets to 99,000 tonnes of South American beef imports each year under the terms of the pact.

Ireland may withold EU-Mercosur deal support over Amazon fires: PM

In the heart of the Amazon, the Mura indigenous people have vowed to protect their traditional land amidst threats from farmers, logging and raging fires. A record number of wildfires have raged for weeks and are decimating the Brazilian Amazon, the world's largest tropical rainforest whose protection scientists say is critical to the fight against climate change. The blazes have nearly doubled this year compared with the same period in 2018, according to Brazilian officials, prompting a global outcry.

'Until my last drop of blood' - Amazon tribe vows to protect sacred land

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