
Brazilian frog opens Queen’s eyes to new possibilities
Queen Mary was enthralled by the potential of the Amazon rainforest during her official visit to Brazil. She expressed her excitement after visiting the Amazon Center for Bioeconomy (CBA) in Manaus, where researchers demonstrated projects promoting local bioeconomy, including a frog used by indigenous people for medicinal purposes, which also shows positive mental health benefits. Queen Mary appreciated the focus on balancing conservation and economic growth for forest inhabitants. She saw products like biodegradable plastic and vegan leather made from bioproduct cellulose derived from kombucha. The Queen noted the stark contrasts between the severe effects of climate change in the Amazon and the sustainable solutions presented. Her visit aims to strengthen Danish-Brazilian cooperation, and she commends the willingness for enhanced collaboration in areas such as nature, climate, biodiversity, and health.