Latin America and the Caribbean are set for a climate revolution - despite the wishes of Jair Bolson
27 APRIL 2021
Latin America and the Caribbean are set for a climate revolution – despite the wishes of Jair Bolsonaro
The long-awaited Escazú Agreement could bring stability and an environment-first approach to the region.
Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro looks unlikely to sign up to the treaty.
Fairly or unfairly, Latin America has developed a certain reputation when it comes to the protection of indigenous people and preservation of the environment. To many, its attitude is, at best, lax and, at worst, destructive. But that could soon change.
Through its three key aims – easily accessible information, public participation in decision-making, and active protection of indigenous people and the environment – the UN-backed Escazú Agreement between countries in South America and the Caribbean seeks to bring a new era of environmental governance and justice to the region.
The treaty, which came into effect on 22 April, marking Earth Day, places the onus on governments to raise standards when it comes to acting in the interests of the climate and citizens: its objective is to realise “the right of every person of present and future generations to live in a healthy environment”.
The agreement is the first of its kind in the region to focus on protecting the land and rights of indigenous people and environmental defenders, who find themselves in increasingly dangerous circumstances. In 2019, 148 indigenous people in Latin America were killed while defending their land against the combined forces of government and corporate interests, a Global Witness report revealed. The agreement aims to end this by mandating countries to not only guarantee a “safe and enabling” environment for indigenous groups, but to take strong measures against those threatening them.
More:
https://www.newstatesman.com/world/2021/04/latin-america-and-caribbean-are-set-climate-revolution-despite-wishes-jair-bolsonaro
