Archaeologist Eduardo Góes Neves discusses Amazon environmental risks

Archaeologist Eduardo Góes Neves, a professor at the University of São Paulo, has addressed the environmental risks facing the Amazon rainforest. Neves, an expert in indigenous history and Amazonian archaeology, noted that certain regional cultures tend to view the forest as an obstacle.

In an interview, Neves discussed the potential impact of political shifts on the region. He suggested that a government following the profile of the previous administration could lead to uncontrolled deforestation, the weakening of oversight bodies such as IBAMA and INPE, increased criminal fires, and the expansion of illegal mining in indigenous territories. While noting a drastic reduction in deforestation under the current Lula administration, he warned that a similar opposition government could potentially dismantle environmental structures more rapidly than in the past.