The Amazon fires have turned into a flame war. “Brazil has bristled over what it views as neo-colonial interference by Europe on matters of sovereignty and economic development. The acrimony appears to be undercutting hopes of united action to protect the Amazon’s rainforests, a major absorber of carbon dioxide that is described as a critical defense against climate change.” AP: Spurning Amazon aid, Brazil brings up Notre Dame fire. “Jair Bolsonaro said the French president had called him a liar and he accused Macron of questioning Brazil’s sovereignty amid tensions over the fires. Macron has to retract those comments ‘and then we can speak,’ Bolsonaro said.” (The future of the existence of the world is coming down to a childish spat. We can’t say we didn’t see that coming…)