BRAZIL’S government satellite data recently revealed a significant drop in deforestation in the Amazon rainforest during the first 6 months of President Lula da Silva‘s tenure.
Amazon deforestation decreased by 33.6%, contrasting with the previous year’s loss of 4,000 square kilometers—an area roughly the size of Rhode Island—under former President Jair Bolsonaro.
The data further highlights a 41% decline in deforestation alerts during June, traditionally the start of the dry season when deforestation activities tend to escalate.
Joao Paulo Capobianco, Deforestation Control Secretary at Brazil’s Environment Ministry, emphasized the achievement, stating,
“The effort of reversing the curve of growth has been reached. That is a fact: We reversed the curve; Deforestation isn’t increasing.”
To combat deforestation, Lula’s administration imposed about $406 million in the first 5 months of this year.
This marks a 160% increase compared to the average annual figure during the previous administration.
2,255 farms faced embargoes for their environmental wrongdoing.
During his election campaign, Lula vowed to protect the Amazon and indigenous communities, and combat corruption.
He faced tough competition during the elections but secured a narrow victory against former President Jair Bolsonaro.
