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Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest has reached its lowest level in over a decade, according to recent data from Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE). This significant milestone is reported just ahead of the upcoming United Nations climate summit, COP30.
Between August 2023 and July 2024, deforestation in the Amazon dropped by 11.08 percent, totaling 5,796 square kilometers (approximately 2,238 square miles). This marks the lowest annual deforestation rate since 2014. The reduction is attributed to the policies implemented by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who aims to end all deforestation in Brazil by 2030. Since taking office in early 2023, Lula’s administration has successfully halved the rate of Amazon destruction.
The positive trend is not limited to the Amazon. Deforestation in Brazil’s Cerrado savanna—a vital ecosystem for biodiversity and carbon storage—also saw a decline. The Cerrado experienced an 11.49 percent reduction in forest loss, bringing the total to 7,235 square kilometers (approximately 2,794 square miles). This achievement marks a six-year low and the second consecutive year of decreased deforestation in this region.
Experts point to the reactivation of environmental agencies, enhanced enforcement against illegal land clearing, and expanded protections for Indigenous lands as critical factors in reversing the trend of forest loss. These coordinated efforts demonstrate the potential for effective policy and governance in addressing environmental challenges.
Despite these advancements, the Lula administration faces scrutiny for its support of state-owned oil company Petrobras, which is seeking to drill near the mouth of the Amazon River. Environmental advocates caution that such fossil fuel exploration could jeopardize Brazil’s climate commitments, even amidst encouraging developments in deforestation reduction.
Overall, Brazil’s recent achievements in curbing deforestation signal a renewed commitment to environmental stewardship and climate leadership ahead of COP30. The progress underscores the possibility of balancing economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection through decisive political action.
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