Brazil battles Amazon job shortage while ranking third globally in renewable energy savings

A professor from New York University warns that the lack of sustainable jobs is the biggest threat to the Amazon. He notes that 15‑20% of the GDP in Amazonian states such as Rondônia, Pará and Mato Grosso comes from logging, mining and cattle, sectors that provide few well‑paid positions and drive deforestation. With 28 million people living in the region, poverty reaches 36%, far above the national average, and private‑sector employment is minimal. The professor urges the development of agroforestry and other green jobs to protect the forest while improving livelihoods.

Meanwhile, a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) shows Brazil saved US$ 32 billion on fossil‑fuel costs in 2025, making it the world’s third‑largest economy in renewable‑energy savings after China and the United States. The shift to solar and wind also avoided 8.4 billion tonnes of CO₂. These savings highlight the economic and climate benefits of Brazil’s expanding renewable‑energy mix.

Both analyses underline the link between environmental protection and economic opportunities in Brazil, emphasizing that greener policies can address poverty in the Amazon while delivering substantial financial and emissions‑reduction gains nationwide.