Poll shows that the majority of Brazilians are opposed to oil drilling near Amazon coast

According to a Datafolha poll commissioned by Eko (a corporate accountability group), a majority of Brazilians think President Luiz inacio Lula da Silveira should ban oil exploration near the Amazon rainforest coast, which is a sensitive eco-system and Brazil's most promising frontier for oil.

The survey was conducted early in September as Brazil is preparing to host world leaders at this year's United Nations Climate Summit, COP30, in the Amazonian town of Belem. Brazil's position as host allows it to encourage the international community, and the world at large, to move away from fossil fuels.

Petrobras, the state-controlled oil company, is seeking approval from the environmental authorities to drill an exploratory hole in the Foz do Amazonas Basin, a region near the mouth the Amazon River. The most vocal opponents were Brazilians aged 16-24 with 73%.

Petrobras has spent 180,000,000 reais ($33,000,000) to keep a drill vessel on standby. It aims to explore the deep waters of Amapa state for oil reserves in order to establish a brand new frontier. Petrobras was not mentioned in the survey, which is a result of resistance by civil society and government officials. Lula, despite positioning himself as an advocate of the fight against climate change on a global scale, has defended Brazil’s right to evaluate the oil potential in the region.

Vanessa Lemos, the coordinator of Eko's campaign, said in a press release that "the coming months will determine Lula’s legacy." "The majority Brazilian voters want Lula to protect the environment and climate,"

Ibama (the Brazilian federal agency for environmental protection) approved a simulation of an emergency situation at the site in September, but asked for adjustments before issuing final licenses. Petrobras awaits a response.

The interest in the basin is high despite challenges. Petrobras secured 19 out of 47 oil-and-gas exploration blocks in the region offered by ExxonMobil.

The survey revealed a broader support for the environment, with 77% of respondents agreeing that Lula's goal is to stop illegal deforestation in 2030. However, only 17% thought this target was achievable. Moreover, 60% of respondents said that climate change had negative effects, and 81% believed the government needed to do more to protect marginalized groups. (Reporting and editing by Roberto Samora; Manuela Andreoni, Aurora Ellis and Aurora Ellis).

(source: Reuters)