Brazil swears in new environmental head

BRASILIA, Brazil, May 27 (UPI) -- Brazil sworn in a new environmental minister Tuesday following the resignation of the previous minister over concerns about Amazon deforestation.

Carlos Minc replaced Marina Silva, who decided to quit her post following the recent release of a government report that revealed deforestation increased in 2007 after two years of improved conservation of the Amazon, O Globo TV reported.

Minc is a founder of Brazil's Green political party and was a former environmental official for the state of Rio de Janeiro.