Todd Bishop
The logging of the Amazon Rainforest is getting worse. When asked how to combine agricultural development with environmental protection, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro proposed a “singular move” to save the planet, which is to have a bowel movement every other day.
Borsonaro said: “It is still enough to eat less. When you talk about environmental pollution, you can have a bowel movement once every other day, which will be better for the whole world.”
Scientists say that since Borsonaro took office in January, the rate of logging down the Amazon rainforest has accelerated, and its policies tend to develop more than conservation. According to data from the Brazilian National Space Research Institute, the number of fells in June was 88% higher than in the same period in 2018. However, Borsonaro complained that the Institute had reported the mistake and dismissed the director of the institute.
The Amazon Rainforest is the world’s largest rainforest and an important place to store carbon, helping to slow down global warming.
Official figures show that the largest reduction in the number of rainforest trees is due to the construction of new pastures for cattle. In the past decade, the government has reduced logging by means of fines, but Bolsonaro and his officials have criticized the penalties.
