Brazilians want the Amazon to be protected but don’t trust the government

A survey commissioned by the Amazonian Environmental Research Institute (IPAM) showed that the majority of the Brazilian population wants the protection of the Amazon, but do not think that the federal government is up to the task. The survey heard 2 thousand people in five regions of Brazil, between February 24 and March 5.

According to the interviewed, environmental NGOs (32%) and indigenous communities and traditional peoples (29%) are more trustworthy for the conservation of the biome. Only 13% indicated the federal government.

Almost 70% of the people interviewed think that inspection measures, the application of fines and fighting illegal activities are crucial for stopping the fires that are forecast to happen in the coming months of drought. Also, 47% said that the state does not fulfill its role in controlling deforestation.

Eugenio Pantoja, IPAM’s director of Public Policy and Territorial Development, reinforces that the public perception is faithful to the modus operandi of the Bolsonaro administration in the environmental area, who saw all-time lows in environmental fines and all-time highs deforestation records. “The perception of Brazilians is faithful to the reality. The preponderant role of the federal government in controlling deforestation and fires in the Amazon is unequivocal, but we have seen a weakening of environmental policies and of inspection agencies”, says Pantoja.