BRASILIA: Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has witnessed a remarkable decline of 33.6% during the initial six months of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s term, compared to the same period in 2022, according to official government reports.
The data, derived from government satellite observations, indicates that the rainforest’s expanse reduced by 2,649 square kilometres from January to June this year. This marks a significant drop from the 3,988 square kilometres lost during the corresponding period under former President Bolsonaro, BBC reported on Friday.
While the government has released these satellite information, it is crucial to note that independent verification is yet to be conducted.
President Lula has made a resolute commitment to halt deforestation, or the clearance of forests, by 2030. However, achieving this objective poses an immense challenge, as the reported area of rainforest lost under his leadership is over three times the size of New York City.
The past few years have witnessed a distressing surge in deforestation, underscoring the significance of the Amazon rainforest as a vital buffer in the global battle against climate change.
Brazil’s National Institute of Space Research (Inpe) unveiled the latest satellite data on Thursday, revealing a consistent downward trend in deforestation of the Amazon. Marina Silva, the Environment Minister, expressed optimism, stating to reporters, “We have reached a steady downward trend in deforestation of the Amazon.”
Inpe highlighted June as the month witnessing a record-breaking 41% reduction in forest clearance compared to the same period in the previous year.
President Lula, who assumed office in January, has vowed to reverse the policies of his far-right predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, who championed mining activities within indigenous lands in the Amazon. Earlier this year, Lula issued decrees establishing six new indigenous reserves, banning mining and imposing restrictions on commercial farming in those areas.
While the reported decrease in deforestation is encouraging, statistics show an increase in fires. In June alone, satellite monitoring detected 3,075 fires in the Amazon—the highest number since 2007. Many of these fires, which release substantial amounts of carbon emissions, have been linked to the clearance of previously deforested areas.
President Lula, who previously held office from 2003 to 2010, has been actively advocating for the world’s wealthiest nations to fund various initiatives aimed at preserving the rainforest.
A study conducted earlier this year by the Global Forest Watch monitoring network revealed that the world experienced a surge in tree clearance, resulting in the loss of tropical forest areas equivalent to the size of Switzerland in 2022. The report also highlighted that an area equivalent to 11 football pitches of forest was lost every minute, with Brazil being the primary contributor to this destruction. These findings indicate that the political commitment made by global leaders at the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in 2021 to end deforestation is significantly off track.
Amazon, lungs of the planet
The Amazon, the world’s largest rainforest, with 60% of it situated in Brazil, is often referred to as “the lungs of the planet” due to the vast number of trees that absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
In conclusion, while the decline in deforestation during President Lula’s term is a positive development, it remains essential to ensure independent verification of the satellite data. The challenge of preserving the Amazon and meeting the ambitious target of ending deforestation by 2030 is substantial. The international community must unite in supporting President Lula’s efforts and undertake concrete actions to protect this invaluable natural resource, upon which the fight against climate change greatly depends.
