Lula Faces Green Skepticism As Brazilian Elections Approach - ENN

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BRASILIA, Brazil — With his leftist credentials and background as a factory worker in polluted Sao Paulo, environmentalists had high hopes of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva when he took office in 2003. But the results are mixed. Plans for controversial hydroelectric damns in the Amazon to feed power-hungry cities and continued deforestation contrast with the creation of state-protected reserves now covering 10 percent of the rainforest.

The tension between the two sides will mark Lula's second term if he wins re-election Sunday, as is widely expected. "I have some good things to say, but it's mixed with frustration. There's a lot of work to be done," said Ana Cristina Barros, who heads the Nature Conservancy in Brazil.

Brazil's environmental debate has taken on global dimensions. Today, Lula is caretaker of the vast Amazon rainforest, the largest preserve of biodiversity in the world. The global green movement claimed the Amazon as its own two decades ago as rock star Sting started writing songs about it and native rubber-tapper Chico Mendes was killed for leading protests against deforestation. But Brazil's economy is fueled by commodity exports, so many people see trees, land and minerals in the Amazon as the country's best hope for lifting some 50 million citizens out of poverty.

"This government has two faces. One is led by business interests and the other by social interests, and the two are in constant tension," said Adalberto Marcondes, editor of the newsletter Envolverde.

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[RaleighNCDUer]

1. How many is a Brazillian? nt