Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro tells alarmed world leaders not to meddle in the Amazon inferno

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro admitted Thursday that farmers could be illegally setting fires consuming the Amazon but warned world leaders to stop "interfering with our sovereignty." French President Emmanuel Macron, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, and the Bishops Conference for Latin America were among those who expressed concerns about the record fires sweeping the rain forest, which produces about 20 percent of the world's oxygen. "We urge the governments of the Amazon countries, especially Brazil and Bolivia, the United Nations and the international community to take serious measures to save the world's lungs," the Catholic bishops said.

Environmental groups and researchers say the fires destroying the Amazon were almost all set by humans, as cattle ranchers and loggers move to take over the land, and they say Bolsonaro's policies are actively encouraging this deforestation. Amazon deforestation is expected to be a topic at this weekend's G7 summit in France.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up