Voting on the climate “point of no return”
In a historic vote, the Brazilian government is deciding if they will cancel major protections for the Amazon region and its indigenous people.
This would clear the way for sanctioned deforestation at an unprecedented rate.
In the article below, we summarize what is happening, how this vote works and how you can make a difference.
Why it matters
The Amazon Rainforest has regulated the Earth's environmental cycles for millennia. During this time of global climate crises, we need it more than ever.
Leading scientists have all explained that the Amazon Rainforest must remain intact, or humanity will struggle to endure the resulting environmental consequences to the Earth's atmosphere, biospheres and oceans.
We live in a globally interconnected world, but we still make such key decisions inside national silos.
Last Friday. Greta Thunberg stated that what Brazil is currently doing to the Amazon Rainforest and its people is shameful.
Indigenous people left their forests and went marching in Brasilia to protest against the vote
What this vote is about
Under industry pressure, the Brazilian government is now deciding on “Marco Temporal” - a thesis under which indigenous people lose their land rights. Their removal would clear the way for sanctioned deforestation and accelerate its pace.
Currently, these rights are guaranteed through Brazil’s Constitution.
How this vote is happening
Last week, the Federal Supreme Court of Brazil held hearings. Only one of the judges voted so far. He spoke against the thesis, a step towards a positive outcome to preserve the lands.
On Wednesday, September 15th, a judge appointed by Bolsonaro will cast his vote too.
Independently from the results of the above, the Senate can weaken the vote in one direction or the other.
How to understand the political parties of Brazil and how the Senate is structured?
We put together a guide for it.
The Senate has 81 members serving an eight-year term of office. It is composed by three senators from each of the country's 27 federative states.
There are many different political parties in Brazil and a wide representation in the Senate too. Some parties have 16 Senate members, others one.
We encourage you to express your opinion about this vote to any of the Senate members listed below and help in making a difference.
We believe that every global citizen gets a say about the future of the Amazon Rainforest. This could be a great opportunity for Brazil to show its commitment to climate preservation.
What to tell future generations about moments like this otherwise… That we were too busy being distracted by the results of deforestation?
MDB - Brazilian Democratic Movement
Members of Brazilian Senate: 16
Political position: Centre to centre right
Ideology: catch-all party, fiscal conservatism
Senators:
PSD - Social Democratic Party
Members of Brazilian Senate: 11
Political Position: Centre
Ideology: catch- all party, classical liberalism
Senators:
PODEMO - Podemos: We Can
Members of Brazilian Senate: 9
Political Position: Centre to centre-right
Ideology: direct democracy, fiscal conservatism, social conservatism
Senators:
PSDB - Brazilian Social Democracy Party
Members of Brazilian Senate: 7
Political position: Centre
Ideology: anti-Bolsonarism, economic liberalism, social democracy
Senators:
PP - Progressives
Members of Brazilian Senate: 7
Political position: right wing
Ideology: Brazilian nationalism, national conservatism
Senators:
PT - Workers' Party
Members of Brazilian Senate: 6
Political position: centre left
Ideology: anti-Bolsonarism, social democracy, economic progressivism
Senators:
DEM - Democrats
Members of Brazilian Senate: 6
Political position: right wing
Ideology: fiscal conservatism, social conservatism
Senators:
PL - Liberal Party
Members of Brazilian Senate: 4
Political position: centre right
Ideology: economic liberalism, fiscal conservatism
Senators:
PDT - Democratic Labour Party
Members of Brazilian Senate: 3
Political position: centre left to left wing
Ideology: anti-Bolsonarism, anti- Lulism
Senators:
CDN- Cidadania - Citizenship
Members of Brazilian Senate: 3
Political position: centre left
Ideology: economic liberalism, progressivism, LGBT rights in Brazil
Senators:
PROS - Republican Party of the Social Order
Members of Brazilian Senate: 3
Political Position: Centre-left
Ideology: catch- all party, economic interventionism
Senators:
REDE - Sustainability Network
Members of Brazilian Senate: 2
Ideology: environmentalism
Senators:
Members of Brazilian Senate: 1
Political position: right wing
Ideology: social conservatism
Senator:
PSL- Social Liberal Party
Members of Brazilian Senate: 1
Political position: Right wing to far right
Ideology: national conservatism, Christian right
Senator:
PSC - Social Christian Party
Members of Brazilian Senate: 1
Political position: Right wing to far right
Ideology: Christian right, political Catholicism
Senator:
Patriota - Patriot
Members of Brazilian Senate: 1
Political position: right wing to far right
Ideology: Brazilian nationalism
Senator:
PTB - Brazilian Labour Party
Members of Brazilian Senate: 0
Political position: right wing
PCdoB - Communist Party of Brazil
Members of Brazilian Senate: 0
Political position: far left