The fate of the Amazon at stake as Brazil votes

Roberto de Oliveira Alves is a cattle rancher in the Brazilian Amazon. He is also a strong supporter of incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro. He lives in the state of Rondônia where land is being dug out of the Amazon rainforest to make room for herders and farmers to grow.

As the final round of Brazil’s presidential election approaches, scientists warn the fate of the Amazon is also at stake. Tens of thousands of illegal fires have already decimated parts of the precious ecosystem, and activists are warning that if Bolsonaro wins again, even more of the Amazon will disappear – a loss that could have a devastating impact on climate change.

Susan Ormiston, CBC’s international climate correspondent, recently returned from Brazil and today front burner she explains what is at stake for the Amazon when the country votes on Sunday.

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