Brazil’s navy has sunk the aircraft carrier São Paulo in the Atlantic Ocean, in a move that has been met with both praise and criticism. The sinking of the ship was part of an effort to protest climate change and reduce pollution.

The Brazilian government noted that the São Paulo was a hazard and would have posed a risk to the environment if it had not been sunk. The government said that the ship contained hazardous materials, such as asbestos and toxic materials, that would have been released into the ocean if the ship had not been sunk.

Environmentalists praised the move, saying that it was an important step in the fight against climate change and pollution. However, some critics argued that the sinking of the ship could have been done in a more responsible way, given the presence of hazardous materials on board.

The São Paulo had been in service for more than 40 years and was the largest aircraft carrier in the Brazilian navy. It was decommissioned in 2018 and had been moored in Rio de Janeiro since then.

The sinking of the São Paulo is part of a larger effort by the Brazilian government to reduce pollution and fight climate change. The government has also announced plans to invest in renewable energy sources and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.

Sources:
The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Guardian, Al Jazeera English, DW (English)