On March 5, 2010, I had the privilege of attending a meeting between Jean Michel Cousteau and Eduardo Braga, Governor of the State of Amazonas, largest state in Brazil. Governor Braga is a staunch supporter of tropical conservation and the development of sustainable rain-forestmanagement. The meeting was a follow-up to their previous meetings in Monaco and the Copenhagen Climate Summit. Also in attendance was Omar Aziz, Vice Governor who will succeed Governor Braga when he leaves office, Nadia d’Avila Ferreira, Secretary of the Environment and Leda Bozaciyan, Executive Director of Ocean Futures Society Brazil.

Governor Braga will be making a run for the Brazilian Senate where he hopes to expand his call for environmental reform. Later this month California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Director James Cameron, and Jean Michel Cousteau will be in Manaus to discuss how they can help spread awareness about global climate concerns. Tourism and the increase in cruise arrivals is an important part of the educational campaign.