President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) is considering making a statement to the nation, on national radio and television, to warn about the country’s climate reality. Sources heard by CNN point out that the Federal Government must draw attention to the population’s responsibility following the increase in the number of fires resulting from human action and suspicions of criminal actions.
The idea is for the message to go on air and be transmitted, where he will participate in the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) and give the traditional opening speech, which usually covers environmental topics.
Another possibility on the table is to put the Minister of Environment and Climate Change herself, Marina Silva, to make the statement. Marina is the government’s main voice on climate warnings and has presented scenarios about the severity of the moment the country is experiencing to the President of the Republic regarding the fires. Since June, she has also been one of the main authorities participating in meetings of the situation room set up at Palácio do Planalto to monitor the fires in the Pantanal and the Amazon.
Another option analyzed would be to focus on aspects harmful to health. The person chosen to make the statement, then, would be minister Nísia Trindade. On the 3rd, the Ministry of Health provided guidance to the population to avoid exposure to smoke. This Tuesday (17), Pasta plans to publish more actions. Among the recommendations passed on are, for example, the use of N95, PFF2 or P100 type masks; avoid outdoor activities; and remain indoors.
The list of ministers who will accompany President Lula on the trip to the UN headquarters is still being finalized by Planalto, but there is an expectation that both Marina and Nísia will be able to participate in the delegation. In the United States, Lula and other leaders must also participate in an agenda on climate ambition, that is, to discuss commitments to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and actions to limit the increase in global temperatures.
National Pact
In addition to the message to the nation, after fires took over the country. The presidents of the Federal Supreme Court, Minister Luís Roberto Barroso, of the Federal Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG) and of the Chamber of Deputies, Arthur Lira (PP-AL), must formalize an agreement with Lula.
There is also an expectation that President Lula will also meet with the governors and mayors of the regions most affected by the flames. The idea, according to sources heard by the CNNwho are aware of the articulations, is to send the message that the Federal Government is mobilizing joint efforts with state governments. There is no date yet for the agenda to take place.
