Brazil’s presidential election in October will determine whether the destruction of the Amazon rainforest can be slowed or reversed, with major implications for climate change globally. While getting rid of Jair Bolsonaro, who has been a disaster for the Amazon, will be a necessary first step, it will also be the easy part.
Throughout South America, leftist candidates have been sweeping to power, winning election after election with promises of tackling the region’s chronic—and recently aggravated—poverty and inequality. Once in office, though, the new presidents have struggled badly, confirming that it’s much easier to criticize than govern.