EU needs to take firm action to curb Amazon wildfires

The Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Krista Mikkonen has urged the EU to take firm action to stop the fires raging in the Amazon rainforest,said a government press release.

In a letter addressed to Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Mikkonen commends the measures and positions taken so far, but insists that the EU must put pressure on Brazil to stop the fires.

“Stopping and preventing the Amazon fires is a major climate issue. If we can’t contain the spread of the fires and the deforestation, we may find ourselves in a situation in which the entire rainforest is lost. I now urge for the tools of foreign and trade policy to be harnessed effectively to help stop this disaster,” Mikkonen said.

The EU foreign ministers are set to discuss the EU’s measures to fight the fires in the Amazon rainforest at an informal meeting in Helsinki at the end of this week.

“Halting deforestation is also essential in order to safeguard biodiversity. The Amazon rainforest is home to 10% of the known species in the world. Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU wants to play an active role in this issue. We also intend to prepare Council conclusions on halting deforestation. Ensuring sustainability throughout all chains of production is essential.”