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I don't have good opinion polls to prove the argument. I have a perception. It could even be a belief, a matter of faith…
I believe that the environmental theme unites us. Regardless of your political color or religion, we are fundamentally united in our concern for the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the good food on our plates.
The controversy aboutOur Lady of Aparecida, which now dominates the electoral debate, reminded me of an example where environmental issues help to unite different worlds. There is ainterfaith initiative for the protection of forestscreated seven years ago by various non-governmental organizations and the United Nations Environment Programme. This alliance brings together pastors, priests, rabbis, shamans, and indigenous leaders to discuss environmental protection, particularly in the Amazon.
My contact in Brazil, Carlos Vicente, a forestry engineer from Acre who was one of Marina Silva's closest advisors for many years (she is now a candidate for the Senate from São Paulo), told me about the results of this initiative. In many conferences, he recounted with a sparkle in his eyes how these religious leaders, who seemed so distant in their daily lives, converged on a shared vision of the importance of respecting life and the sacredness of nature.
Something that Carlos highlighted was the profound impact a visit to the National Institute of Space Research (INPE) had on a pastor. The trip to the institution's headquarters in São José dos Campos, in the interior of São Paulo, took place at a time when Bolsonaro and members of his government, such as General Heleno and then Minister of the Environment, Ricardo Salles, were attacking INPE. The scientists were simply doing their job by disseminating data showing an increase in deforestation. After understanding how the monitoring systems worked, the pastor defended the protection of the Amazon in one of his sermons.
The memory of what Carlos Vicente told me amidst this turmoil that mixes Our Lady with elections gave me a little hope. It confirmed something that I had already felt in the 2018 elections and soon after the beginning of the Bolsonaro government, when there was the crisis of fires. The theme of the Amazon and the fight against deforestation is a path of dialogue with undecided voters. It is difficult to find someone who openly defends deforestation, pollution, and animal abuse in casual conversations.
My impression became even stronger with what happened in 2019, shortly after the fateful August 18th, when the smoke from the fires in the Amazon turned a São Paulo afternoon into night. Those images, followed by journalistic investigations that showed a coordination of rural producers to celebrate a Day of Fire, generated a national and international mobilization in the face of Bolsonaro's anti-environmental policies.
This public pressure forced Bolsonaro to back down. Remember that Vice President Hamilton Mourão was appointed to appease the situation, making contact with historical partners of Brazil in conservation investments, such as Germany and Norway.
While the world was demanding the Bolsonaro government, the environmental issue and the Amazon were also at the center of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis made climate change and the protection of the Amazon one of the main hallmarks of his pontificate.Held the first meeting of bishops to propose a joint action with indigenous peoples,The Synod of the Amazon.Extended their arms to the best scientists in the world on the topic. Brazilian scientists Carlos Nobre from INPE and Ima Vieira from the Emílio Goeldi Museum were among those who had the attentive ear of Francisco.
Therefore, it does not seem random that Flavio Bolsonaro decided to attack the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) in order to find a culprit for the controversy surrounding Our Lady. The bishops have always been attentive to the environmental issue and their campaigns, over the years, have highlighted themes such as the right to land, the protection of indigenous lands and against the privatization of access to water. The CNBB has always been a defender of the environment as something primordial in the conduct of a religious institution.
During Bolsonaro's presidency, there were many clashes with the CNBB and other branches of the Catholic Church, such as the Pastoral Commission for Land and the Missionary Indigenous Council. These branches of the church remained faithful to their mission and pointed out the dismantling that was being promoted by Bolsonaro. Just as his father did, Flavio attacks the CNBB because he knows that it will be an institution that will not allow the planned evils against the territories to be hidden.
Aware of their role in defending "the Common Home," the bishops of the 1st Northern Region of the CNBB, which includes the dioceses of Amazonas and Roraima, released a statement on the 23rd calling on Brazilians to consider socio-environmental issues when voting. "Archbishop Leonardo Steiner of Manaus and president of the 1st Northern Region reminds us that in the encyclical Laudato Si', published in 2015, Pope Francis argues that care for the environment is inseparable from social justice, human dignity, and life in society," says one of the excerpts.From the open letter.
I dare to say that the Amazon is as iconic as a saint. And not just for Brazilians: the world venerates the Amazon. Unfortunately, and this is not fake news, there are many who are willing to destroy this natural wonder. Divine? I don't know. It's up to each individual.