Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon falls to all-time low

Brazil's Amazon rainforest experienced its lowest level of deforestation in a record 12-month period through July, according to data released by the Brazilian space research agency Inpe. The Amazon jungle saw 3,335 square kilometers destroyed, marking a 42% decrease from the previous period. The previous all-time low for deforestation in Brazil's Amazon occurred in 2011-2012, with 4,571 square kilometers destroyed.

Historically, during the 1990s, the yearly deforestation rate in the Amazon reached nearly 30,000 square kilometers. The PRODES satellite monitoring program, which produces yearly data from August to July due to minimal cloud cover in mid-year, released these figures today. Marcio Astrini, executive secretary of climate advocacy group Observatorio do Clima, emphasized these results as a historic achievement, showcasing how political will can curb deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who took office in 2023 with a pledge to end deforestation by 2030, faced the challenge of reversing the surge in deforestation rates that began under former President Jair Bolsonaro. The upcoming presidential election runoff on October 25th pits Mr. Lula against Mr. Bolsonaro's son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, with the latter pledging to strengthen environmental oversight in the Amazon, focusing on law enforcement to target organized crime over extractive workers and small farmers.

Deforestation in Brazil's Cerrado savanna also reached its lowest level on record, declining by approximately 24% to 5,517 square kilometers in the same period.