Bundchen takes on Brazil president over Amazon

The Associated Press, Monday, September 21, 2009, 5:57am (PDT)

SAO PAULO (AP) -- Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen is a new United Nations advocate for environmental awareness — and reportedly wants her own president to do more to halt Amazon deforestation.

Bundchen tells reporters in New York that Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva should propose better laws to stop the razing of the world's largest rain forest.

Her comments were published Monday in major Brazilian newspapers that covered her comments as she was named a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. Environment Program.

Silva said Monday that his new proposal to limit sugarcane production in the Amazon and other ecologically sensitive areas is proof of his commitment to Amazon preservation. It was unveiled last week.