Amazon Deforestation Plummets Over 20% to a 5-Year Low

In a significant stride towards environmental conservation, deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest has dropped by a noteworthy 22.3% over the past 12 months, as per the latest government data revealed on Thursday. This encouraging development comes as President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva earnestly pursues his commitment to curbing the rampant deforestation that characterized the tenure of his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro.

According to data compiled by Brazil’s space research agency, Inpe, approximately 9,000 square kilometers (3,475 square miles) of Amazonian forest were lost in the 12 months leading up to July, down from a staggering 11,568 square kilometers during the preceding year. This marks the lowest deforestation rate recorded since 2018, the year just before Bolsonaro assumed office. It is important to underline that the Amazon jungle is not just a national treasure but a global asset whose preservation is instrumental in mitigating climate change.

Marcio Astrini, the head of the advocacy group Climate Observatory, praised the development, stating, “It’s an impressive result and seals Brazil’s return to the climate agenda.” This turnaround reflects Brazil’s renewed commitment to environmental conservation.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the current deforestation rate, while a significant improvement, still remains nearly double that of the all-time low recorded in 2012. Moreover, it falls short of President Lula’s ambitious goal of achieving zero deforestation by 2030.

President Lula has staked his international reputation on combatting deforestation since taking office this year. He has intensified the enforcement of environmental laws, in stark contrast to the previous four years under Bolsonaro, during which environmental agencies were weakened. Under Bolsonaro’s right-wing administration, deforestation reached a 15-year high, driven by activities such as ranching, land speculation, and mining.

The annual data, generated by Inpe’s PRODES satellite monitoring program, offers a far more accurate assessment of deforestation trends compared to the weekly figures published by the DETER alert system. The official annual period for measuring deforestation extends from August to July, as this period typically experiences less cloud cover, allowing for clearer satellite imagery and more precise monitoring of deforestation activities.

The substantial reduction in Amazon deforestation is a positive step forward in the fight against climate change. President Lula’s commitment to environmental protection and stricter enforcement of laws has played a pivotal role in this achievement. Nevertheless, there is still much work to be done to reach the ambitious goal of zero deforestation by 2030.