Minister urges Brazilians to prioritize environmental preservation
In a televised address on Monday evening (Jun. 5), Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva, called upon the Brazilian population to recognize the pressing need for environmental preservation and sustainable development in the country. She emphasized that the future hinges on these crucial actions.
"We must acknowledge that time is running out and fully embrace what science tells us: either we respect nature and make it our ally, or we jeopardize our own future," stated the minister in her speech commemorating World Environment Day.
Marina Silva highlighted the commitment of the Lula government to seek solutions that propel the nation toward "a cycle of prosperity with a more sustainable economy and a fairer society. This determination is unwavering, but it will not come without challenges," she acknowledged. She mentioned the ongoing battle against illegal deforestation and mining on indigenous lands, the establishment of reserves and parks, and the organization of national conferences to address environmental concerns.
Earlier, Minister Silva and President Lula unveiled a new security plan for the Amazon in collaboration with state governments. These measures aim to combat crimes such as the illegal occupation of public lands, unauthorized mining, timber extraction, hunting, and fishing in indigenous territories, environmental protected areas, and throughout the biome as a whole.
Marina Silva further emphasized that as the world's foremost environmental power, Brazil can lead the global effort to combat climate change and to "forge a development model that respects nature while reducing inequalities among people and societies."
