Brazil's radical environment minister resigned yesterday after losing a series of battles to protect the rainforest. The president of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been more concerned in recent years with the economic development of the country. Marina Silva's resignation high lights this fact and could be a set back for Brazil's desire to become a world leader in environmental issues and policies.
"Her resignation is a disaster for the Lula administration. If the government had any global credibility in environmental issues, it was because of minister Marina," said Jose Maria Cardoso da Silva, vice-president of the South American division of the environmental group Conservation International.
While environmentalists morn the loss of the activist's resignation, farmers welcomed it. In her letter of resignation she said she had stepped down from the position because of the "difficulty she had been having for some time in carrying out the national environment agenda," a presidential spokesman said.
Rui Prado, head of the agriculture federation of Mato Grosso said Marina was "an obstacle for the economic development in Brazil". Silva unsuccessfully opposed infrastructure projects in the rainforest including two hydroelectric dams and a road that would link the Western grain belt with the Amazon river.
Possible successors include Rio de Jeneiro's state's environment secretary and founder of the Green Party in Brazil, Carlos Minc. Silva has suffered from tropical diseases and metal poisoning, causing her to be ill for many years.
Silva was frequently at odds with Lula and other cabinet members. She felt they were more concerned with economic policy and job markets than with the destruction of the rain forest. (Quotes from The Guardian)
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This post was written by Christine Pinella on May 18, 2008