Feature story - May 25, 2005
The vote is on - who is responsible for the most Amazon destruction? Last week the Brazilian government showed that deforestation was at record levels, so we have nominated Brazilian President Lula and 5 others for the notorious Golden Chainsaw title. "It's a very difficult choice. All six are strong candidates," said Paulo Adario, Amazon campaign co-ordinator.
The award has two prizes: public - to be decided by direct vote
on the internet- and environmental activists and journalists
will make a "critics' choice". The prizes will be given to the
Brazilianpersonality whose action or inaction were decisive in the
incrediblelevels of deforestation in the Amazon. The
not-so-luckywinner, announced on June 6th, will receive a statue
made of illegallylogged wood.
The nominees are:
Blairo Maggi
Governor of the State of Mato Grosso, absolute champion
ofdeforestation. (The state was responsible for 48 percent of the
totalAmazon destructionduring 2003-04). Considered the "King of
Soya", he longs for thepresidency of Brazil. Author of the
celebrated phrase, "Thisbusiness offorests does not have a
future". And, if it depends on him, itcertainly won't.
Roberto Rodrigues
Minister of Agriculture in Brasilia and soy farmer in Maranhão,
he isabsolutely convinced that agribusiness is the salvation of
farming. Refuses to recognise the relation between deforestationand
the advance of agribusiness.
José Dirceu
First minister in line of command in the Lula Government and
Chief ofthe Civil House. Co-ordinator of the "Plan of Action for
thePrevention and Control of Deforestation in the Legal Amazônia"
andgreatly responsible for the lack of its implementation.
Luís Inácio Lula da Silva
President of the Republic of Brazil and ultimately responsible
for itsactions and inactions. Although he promotes a sustainable
model forthe Amazon, the protection of theenvironment in his
government until now is considered a mere obstacletoeconomic
development.
Antônio Palocci
Secretary of the Treasury and holder of the key to thesafe. He
compliments agribusiness and he applaudsincreases in exports while
the government institutions andagencies who protect the environment
receive less and less federal resources.
Simão Jatene
Governor of the State of Pará which has been historically the
vice-leader in deforestation, but the winner of the prizes in
thecategories: violence and murders in the field, slave labour,
illegaloccupation of land and activities of inherent mismanagement
in theprocess of deforestation.
Vote now!
Vote for the candidate you think deserves the Golden Chainsaw (note: this link takes you to the Brazilian site, and voting is in Portuguese, but don't worry, it's easy)
Give to save the Amazon
Donate now and help us to protect the Amazon from chainsaws, golden or otherwise.