Raoni Metuktire, an Indigenous leader, is opposing a Brazilian oil project, urging President Lula to reconsider its environmental implications. He emphasizes the necessity for sustainable practices at COP30 and reflects on the challenges faced by Indigenous communities due to environmental degradation. Raoni also critiques former President Bolsonaro’s leadership regarding climate affairs.
Raoni Metuktire, a prominent Brazilian environmental activist and tribal leader, is actively opposing the government’s oil mega-project at the mouth of the Amazon River. Raoni plans to meet with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in his territory, urging him to halt the initiatives of state-owned oil company Petrobras, which seeks to explore the Equatorial Margin off Brazil’s coast.
Despite Lula’s ambition to position Brazil as a leader in combating climate change, he supports oil exploration as vital for economic growth. Raoni, notable for his activism against deforestation since the 1980s, is a recognized leader of the Kayapo people, deeply concerned about the impact of environmental degradation on Indigenous communities. He is expected to host Lula in early April, though the government has yet to confirm this meeting.
In an exclusive interview, Raoni emphasized the significance of COP30 for addressing climate change, urging global leaders to focus on sustainable solutions. He expressed hopes for discussions regarding the demarcation of Indigenous territories, reflecting on past grievances with Lula’s administration concerning environmental projects without consultation.
Raoni is vocal about the detrimental effects of deforestation and pollution, which have transformed the lives of his people, causing food scarcity due to damaged ecosystems. He articulated a vision of climate catastrophe, warning of potential global flooding as a reckoning for environmental destruction.
Addressing domestic politics, Raoni criticized former President Jair Bolsonaro, describing him as mentally unfit and lacking a humanitarian perspective. He supports legal actions against Bolsonaro for human rights violations related to environmental policies and expresses hope for justice.
Raoni Metuktire’s commitment to environmental advocacy highlights the ongoing conflict between economic development and ecological preservation in Brazil. His forthcoming meeting with President Lula represents a critical opportunity for addressing Indigenous rights and environmental concerns, particularly amidst preparations for COP30. Raoni’s perspective serves as a poignant reminder of the intertwined fates of human existence and nature, urging collective responsibility against climate change.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
