US Ambassador: Biden Government Stresses Climate Issue, Wants to Work with Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The U.S. Ambassador to Brazil, Todd Chapman, said on Friday, February 5th, that President Joe Biden’s administration has been emphasizing issues related to climate change and wants to be a “good partner” for Brazil in the area.

Chapman spoke with journalists after meeting with Vice-President Hamilton Mourão on Friday. According to him, the Biden government has been paying “much attention” on issues related to the environmental area and wants to step up cooperation with Brazil.

Biden placed climate issues and environmental preservation among his government’s top priorities. The president reintegrated his country into the Paris Agreement, in contrast with the policy pursued by his predecessor Donald Trump.

These measures mark a turning point. “In my opinion, we have waited a long time to deal with this climate crisis. We can’t wait any longer,” said the president, who placed climate change at the center of his security policy.

In this context, preserving the Amazon is a topic of interest to the American government. When he was a candidate, Biden said he would seek “to organize the hemisphere and the world to provide US$ 20 billion for the Amazon.” He further stated that Brazil could face “significant economic consequences” unless it stopped “destroying” the forest.

“We discuss many issues, but of course, many issues related to the environment. Indeed,  new President Biden’s administration is placing great emphasis on the importance of climate change. We want to be good partners for Brazil in this, as we are working hard,” said the ambassador.

“What is clear is that we will increase our interest in working with Brazil in the climate change area. We have a new presidential representative, Secretary John Kerry, and we pay close attention to this issue and we want to work together with Brazil on this,” said Chapman.

Mourão said that during the meeting he addressed issues related to the Amazon and stated that the Brazilian government is in a position to provide the required information on the matter to the Americans.

“We want to show what we are doing, opening this dialogue through the embassy, and clarify that we can provide all the required information, in order for the facts of what is happening there to be heard,” commented Mourão.

After the American president’s inauguration, the Brazilian President sent a letter to Biden, in which he mentioned a partnership for sustainable development and environmental protection, particularly in the Amazon.

Bolsonaro’s environmental policy has been the target of international criticism since his government’s inception. Criticism has escalated due to the worsening rates of deforestation and patch burning in the region.

In an attempt to reverse his negative image, in 2020 Bolsonaro created the National Council of the Amazon, headed by Vice President Mourão and with the participation of numerous cabinet Ministries.

Source: G1

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