The Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen appears to have succeeded where conservationists and scientists have failed: by persuading the president, Michel Temer, to veto legislation that would have slashed protected reserves in the Amazon.
In a Twitter post last week, Bündchen urged Temer to block a bill that would have opened up 600,000 hectares (1.5m acres) of forest to development. The model – who has long been a supporter of WWF – tweeted: “It’s our job to protect our Mother Earth.”
It's our job to protect our Mother Earth. @MichelTemer, please say NO to reducing protection in the Amazon! https://t.co/KkKF4MrhGg
— Gisele Bündchen (@giseleofficial) June 13, 2017
Her intervention apparently made an impact on the president, who has previously had scant regard for conservation, packing his cabinet with agro-business supporters and making deep cuts in the budget of the environment ministry.
In a tweeted response to Bündchen yesterday, Temer announced that he was vetoing the proposed legislation.
This victory for the environment may yet prove short-lived because the pro-business government is considering other plans to reduce forest reserves and indigenous territory.
Meanwhile, many Twitter users asked Bunchen to use her newfound influence and urge the scandal-plagued president to resign.
“Gisele, please ask for ‘temer Temer out’ with the same trick,” said one user in response to the exchange between the politician and the supermodel. “Who knows, maybe he’ll listen to you on that too?”
