Silva-ing the Way: Brazil’s Forest Gump Takes on Deforestation
Last week, the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland was buzzing with talk of deforestation and biodiversity. One leader in attendance who holds huge responsibility in this area is Marina Silva, Brazil’s new environment minister. Silva, 64, has served as environment minister before, from 2003 to 2008, and put in place policies and protections that ultimately reduced the rate of deforestation by 80 percent. Now, back in office under Brazil’s new president, there’s enormous hope that she can repeat that feat.
But who is this Silva woman? Born in the Amazon to a family of rubber tappers, Silva, who is generally known in Brazil by her given name, was directly affected by many of the problems that plague people in the forest. Loved ones died of malaria after a new road brought deforestation and diseases to her area. There were few basic services available, so she only learned how to read when she was 16. Her mentor, the environmentalist and trade union leader Chico Mendes, was murdered for his activism.
Silva’s first run as minister ended when she quit after facing what she called resistance from important political interests. For years, she distanced herself from the current president, Lula, and only recently opted to support him again.
But don’t let her humble beginnings fool you, Silva is a force to be reckoned with. She’s like the Forest Gump of Brazil’s environment- a simple woman with a big heart and even bigger ideas. With her leadership and determination, we can only hope that Silva will be able to outrun deforestation and bring back the lush rainforests of the Amazon.
In conclusion, Silva’s task ahead is not an easy one, but with her background and experience, she has what it takes to make a real difference. Let’s hope that this time around, Silva can chop down the rate of deforestation and plant the seeds for a sustainable future.
