Can oil really help save the planet? That’s what Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva seems to believe. He wants to explore more oil, even offshore from the Amazon, while claiming to be a leader in the fight against climate change.
Lula told a podcast, “The world is not ready to live without oil.” He argues that we still need fossil fuels for now, but he believes that oil revenue can help fund alternatives like biofuels and green hydrogen.
Brazil stands as the eighth-largest oil producer globally, and Lula’s aim is to make Petrobras the world’s largest oil company. At the same time, he has committed to zero deforestation by 2030, which many see as contradictory.
Critics argue Lula’s approach is at odds with environmental goals. Jorge Arbache, an economics professor, suggests it’s more challenging to force Brazil to stop oil extraction than it is for wealthier nations. “The real conversation should be about how to use oil responsibly,” he says.
Off Brazil’s northern coast, plans to explore oil in the Foz do Amazonas basin raise eyebrows. This area, rich in biodiversity, has become a focal point for Lula’s conflicting actions. Although Petrobras recently cleared an environmental hurdle, the agency raised concerns about protecting wildlife in the event of an oil spill.
Despite Petrobras’s insistence that an oil spill wouldn’t impact nearby communities, environmentalists are skeptical. Suely Araujo, a former head of Brazil’s environmental agency, calls the continued increase in oil production a “historical mistake.” She argues we’re in the middle of a climate crisis, and choosing more oil is counterproductive.
Even if Petrobras discovers oil, it could take years to start production, and the International Energy Agency predicts oil demand will decline after 2030. Araujo points out that Brazil’s oil wealth hasn’t resolved social issues, with 87% of oil royalties going to just three states, based on outdated rules.
Interestingly, Brazil meets most of its energy needs through renewables. Yet, it is still one of the top emitters of greenhouse gases. Research shows about half of these emissions come from deforestation, and a significant portion is tied to agriculture. While Brazil exports over half of its oil, the emissions from burning it will still impact the planet.
Environmentalists like Neidinha Surui express deep concern. “What Lula is doing adds pressure on the climate,” she warns. She hopes for a shift in focus toward protecting nature more earnestly.
As Lula navigates this complex issue, the challenge remains: can oil truly be part of the solution in a climate crisis? The stakes are high, and the path forward remains uncertain.
