BRAZIL celebrates significant drop in Amazon deforestation after reports revealed that it is lowest level since 2017.
Preliminary government figures from Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research revealed that deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon declined significantly in July 2023.
Satellite data showed approximately 500 square kilometers or 193 square miles of rainforest were cleared during the month, marking a 66 percent drop from the same period last year.
In the first seven months of 2023, deforestation decreased by 42.5 percent compared to the same period in 2022, signaling positive progress in protecting the Amazon rainforest.
The decline in deforestation during June and July is especially noteworthy as these months typically see a spike in deforestation due to drier weather conditions.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is set to convene a summit with leaders from other Amazonian countries in northern Brazil to discuss ways to protect the rainforest.
The summit aims to establish a common policy, including measures to address border security and reforestation efforts on 30 million hectares or 74 million acres of degraded land.
Lula, who took office in January, had promised to end deforestation by 2030 following a surge in deforestation during his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro’s term, marked by reduced environmental protection efforts.
While experts commend the early progress in reducing deforestation under the Lula administration, they stress the need for continued vigilance during months when fires and clear-cutting are historically prevalent.
Environmental protection remains a key issue as Brazil’s Mercosur trade bloc negotiates a long-delayed free trade accord with the European Union.
The EU has urged Mercosur countries, including Brazil, to take strong actions against environmental crimes to advance the trade agreement.
The reduction in deforestation is seen as a critical step in Brazil’s efforts to protect the amazon rainforest, garnering global attention and support for ongoing conservation initiatives.
