Gram Slattery

RIO DE JANEIRO – Brazilian Communications Minister Fabio Faaria and Elon Musk discussed Tuesday a possible partnership. The plan would use SpaceX technology to provide Internet connectivity to remote schools, and reduce illegal deforestation.

The Brazilian government released a statement saying that they had discussed how SpaceX (NASDAQ:) and Starlink could be used to monitor illegal tree cutting in the Amazon rainforest and provide Internet connectivity for remote schools and hospitals.

Faria stated that they are “working to seal this important partnership among the Brazilian government and SpaceX”. Our objective is to provide Internet access to remote areas, as well as helping to control wildfires and illegal deforestation of the Amazon rainforest.

Faria and Musk were also featured in the video that was posted to Twitter by the minister (NYSE:) on Tuesday.

Musk declared, “With improved connectivity we can help preserve the Amazon.”

Brazil was pushed to the United Nations’ climate change summit in Glasgow by suggesting it has increased its management of Amazonia. It also pledged to eliminate illegal forestation by 2028, which is two years sooner than the original target.

Scientists, diplomats, and activists disagree with these promises. They are not true given the rapid increase in deforestation under President Jair Bolsonaro to levels that were last recorded in 2008.