Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been included on Time’s list of the 100 most influential people in 2023. The magazine is among the world’s most prestigious weekly publications. Lula’s profile piece was written by the former US vice-president Al Gore.
In the text, the 77-year-old leader is referred to as a “climate champion,” in the context of political measures to mitigate the effects of climate change. “After years of state-sanctioned environmental degradation and destruction, the people of Brazil chose a new path by electing a climate champion in Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva,” Al Gore wrote.
The article says Lula promised to strengthen Brazil’s stance on the global stage, renewing the nation’s commitment to democracy, justice, and economic equity. “In no other area does he stand to make a more significant impact than on the twin climate and biodiversity crises,” he notes, mentioning the increase in deforestation rates in the Amazon over the last years.
“President Lula has pledged to protect the Amazon, and he has done it before—reducing deforestation by 72 percent in his previous term. From tackling forest loss to accelerating Brazil’s clean-energy transition, President Lula’s leadership will be critical in this decisive decade for climate action,” he adds.
Lula appears under “leaders,” alongside politicians like the US President Joe Biden, Colombia’s Gustavo Petro, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska.
Last month, Time also released the list of the 12 women of the year in 2023. Among them was Brazil’s Minister of Racial Equality Anielle Franco.
Source: Agência Brasil