Lula: a new global energy paradigm that helps tackle poverty

The agreement between the U.S. and Brazil on advancing biofuels cooperation was lauded as a step towards a new paradigm that is set to transform the world's energy system in the 21st century.

Brazil's left-leaning President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva highlighted the benefits of the green energy pact. A selection of quotes both from Lula's speech as from his answers to the media:

On the global impact of the agreement

The accord signed today is not a mere economic deal, it opens the potential to democratise access to energy. The agreement on biofuels will help tackle global poverty, in countries in Latin America, Central America, the Caribbean and Africa.

The world is not always ready and prepared for major changes unless we have untiring debates and people are convinced that Planet Earth needs to be de-polluted. And it's in our hands, we who have polluted it, must de-pollute it.

On access to energy as a democratic principle and right

Our ethanol program is the result of 30 years of hard work. It has had a great social impact, with increased access to energy for all layers of the population.

Today the entire society is reaping the fruit of these efforts, and other countries want to share Brazil's experience. The memorandum is an important step in that direction. But it's not just an economic partnership between Brazil and the U.S.
A close relationship and cooperation between the two leaders in ethanol production will make it possible to democratize access to energy further. The growing use of biofuel will be an inestimable contribution to the generation of income, social inclusion and reduction of poverty in many poor countries of the world.

On the chance to alleviate poverty, redistribute wealth

Our biodiesel program has a major social impact. It is aimed at small farmers to family farmers. It will help create jobs and income in the poorest regions of our country, especially in the northeastern semi-arid region, where many of these crops are actually native.

The global switch to biofuels offers tremendous opportunities for companies to become cleaner and more efficient, for the redistribution of wealth, for the enhancement of social inclusion [of rural populations] and for the reduction of poverty in the poorest countries of the world.

In addition to doing good for humanity with biofuels, we will also be, for the first time, using biofuels as a way to distribute income and create jobs on an unprecedented scale in the history of humanity. Above all, if we analyze what can be done for countries in Africa, if we analyze what can be done in poorer countries of South America, and when we look at what we can do in Central America and the Caribbean, where the United States has a partnership with all those countries, then I believe that the partnership between the U.S. and Brazil can, beginning today, really be a new moment for the global car industry, a new moment for a new energy paradigm in the world, and possibly a new moment for humanity.

On energy independence, climate change and efficiency

Biofuels allow us to reduce our dependence of fossil fuels, at a moment when we feel a sense of urgency for global action against climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. Biofuels offer an economically and sustainable alternative.

We want to see biomass generating sustainable development, above all in South America, Central America, in the Caribbean and in Africa. Brazil and the United States should create alliances with other countries to achieve global diversification of the production of biofuels. To that end, we must lay the basis for a global market of biofuels.

We have more than tripled the yields of sugarcane plantations, which are the main source of ethanol. And we have demonstrated that it is possible to increase the production of biofuels without harming the production of food, and also reducing deforestation of the Amazon region.

I am convinced that this strategic alliance will allow the world to change its energy matrix for the future. We, who polluted this planet so much during the 20th century, can now make a start with cleaning it up during the 21st.

Quotes gathered from a range of sources. A translation of President Lula's speech can be found here. Other sources consulted:

• Estadao: Lula: parceria Brasil-EUA terá impacto social - March 9, 2007.
• UltimoSegunndo: Desenvolvimento de biocombustíveis pode ajudar no combate à pobreza mundial, notam Lula e Bush - March 9, 2007.
• Portugal Diário:Lula elogia parceria energética com EUA - Presidente brasileiro diz que será o desafio do século XXI - March 9, 2007.

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biomass :: bioenergy :: biofuels :: energy :: sustainability :: ethanol :: biodiesel :: poverty alleviation :: Brazil :: Latin America :: Africa ::