by John Fitzpatrick

Readers may not know it but we have a Green Party here in Brazil and, thankfully, it is starting to produce some buds. Since Brazil hosts the world´s largest tropical rainforest and contains some of the most varied flora and fauna on the planet you would imagine environmental matters would have a high place on the political agenda. However, this is not the case and few Brazilians are ecologically minded. This is not because people or the authorities are indifferent but is a matter of economics. Like many other developing countries with a great pool of natural resources, such as Indonesia, Brazil´s main concern is to feed and house its population even if this is at the expense of the environment.

Having said that, “green” issues are gradually assuming a political dimension but this development owes more to external rather than domestic pressure. Just as international criticism of the destruction of large parts of the Amazon rainforest in the 80s caused Brazil to take countermeasures, so this growing interest in environmental matters is influenced by outside pressure. The process of globalization which has swept the world over the last 10 years has encompassed the environment as well. No country can now ignore the environment. The United States, for example, has been widely criticized for its refusal to accept the Kyoto protocol on gas emissions. Brazil is no longer the main villain in terms of environmental policies in the eyes of the international community.

In Brazil, genetically-modified crops has become a key issue since soybeans account for a large part of the country´s exports. These soybeans are a mainstay of the export boom which has helped produce a healthy trade surplus in recent years and politicians are listening to the farm lobby. The Senate recently approved the use of these crops in the face of strong opposition from many quarters, including the Greens and PT radicals.

Many Brazilians who once resented foreigners hectoring them for their treatment of the Amazon are now devoted to saving it because they believe it contains vast undiscovered genetic resources. The patriots (or nationalists if you prefer) want to get their share of these unfound riches and are determined not to let them fall into the hands of greedy foreign multinational companies. Saving the planet is no longer the exclusive property of the European and American save-the-whale, brown-rice-and-sandals brigade.

There are a number of reasons why Brazil badly needs a strong Green party. In straight political terms the Greens actually stand for a cause, unlike most other Brazilian parties which have no ideological basis and exist to represent vested interests. These interests may be regional, corporatist or even personal. At the moment the Workers Party (PT) of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is the only really national party. Although it started out as a vehicle for the organized working class, mainly factory workers, the PT now has a solid bedrock of support throughout the country. This support is growing, as was shown in the recent first round of the municipal elections when the party increased its vote and share of municipalities it controls. At the moment the PT is probably the main established party which reflects the “green” message. 

A strong Green party can also raise environmental awareness among people of all classes, whether the hog-like São Paulo driver with his obscene four-wheel sports utility vehicle or the poorly educated favela dweller who throws her rubbish into the road or river. It could also put pressure on the government to ensure that laws are implemented and not just passed. Foreign readers may not be aware that Brazil has tougher environmental laws than many other countries but the problem is enforcing them. Several large companies have complained that delays over  environmental issues, in areas such as building factories or power generating plants, are holding back investments.  

At the same time, the Greens face many problems before they can become a national force. First of all the party is similar to most other Brazilian political parties in that it includes some leading members who would appear to have little in common. This weakness is already becoming apparent in São Paulo where the Greens have said they will support the PSDB candidate, Jose Serra, in the second round of the mayoral election on October 31. By so doing they will be opposing the Workers Party (PT) candidate, Marta Suplicy. The Greens claim to be neither left nor right wing. However, a look at their political manifesto puts it squarely on the far left. This manifesto reads more like a child´s letter to Father Christmas than a serious document and it is difficult to take it seriously.

The decision to back Serra is not shared by two of the party´s most prominent members – the culture minister, Gilberto Gil, and the former environment minister, Jose Sarney Filho who leads the party´s dozen or so members in the House of Representatives. Sarney, who is the son of ex-President Jose Sarney, was scathing about the decision. Gil, who was out of the country at the time, said he would back the PT´s Suplicy even though he is a member of the Greens´ national executive. Having someone like Sarney, who used to be a member of the center-right PFL party and whose family represents the dubious old-style politics of the Northeast, is an sign of the Greens´ fundamental weaknesses. Sarney is reckoned to have done a reasonable job as environment minister under President Fernando Henrique Cardoso but its is hard to believe that in his heart of hearts he is really a Green.

By supporting Serra, the Greens in São Paulo are hoping to gain some positions in his administration. Let us hope this happens because a dose of responsibility and power is exactly what the Greens need. As the PT has found out over the last 22 months, running an administration is a lot different from holding street demonstrations and criticizing every aspect of government policy. São Paulo could be an excellent recruiting ground for the Greens. It has all the problems of a major city, particularly pollution caused by too many cars, and would give the Greens hands-on experience and a chance to show what they can do. São Paulo also has a large, young, well-educated population which should be the Greens´ natural targets for recruitment. At national level, the Greens could also target the current environment minister, Martina Silva, who has been publicly overridden several times by Lula on a number of occasions.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that I tried to get some information from the Greens about their membership numbers and, most importantly, how they are financed but got no reply. It would be interesting to know if the party accepts contributions from foreign companies, organizations and/or NGOs.

October 17, 2004

(c) John Fitzpatrick 2004