Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon fell to its lowest level in six years at the start of the year. In January and February, deforestation fell by 63 percent compared to the same period last year to 196 square kilometers, according to the environmental organization Imazon. This roughly corresponds to the area of Hanover.
Despite the significant decline, an average of 327 football fields of rainforest was still being cut down per day in the first two months of the year. “This data shows that we still have a big challenge ahead of us. Achieving the promised 2030 goal of zero deforestation is extremely important to combat climate change,” said Larissa Amorim of Imazon.
Other areas more affected
The Amazon rainforest is considered a CO2 store and plays an important role in the international fight against climate change. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced that he would strengthen environmental and climate protection.
While the situation in the Amazon region has recently eased somewhat, deforestation in the Cerrado has increased significantly. Deforestation in the tropical savanna rose by 19 percent in February compared to the same month last year, according to the National Space Institute (Inpe). The Cerrado is considered Brazil’s water reservoir and is home to around five percent of all animal and plant species on the planet.
“The new figures continue a trend that began last year: While the protection efforts in the Amazon are taking effect, the chainsaws are now raging even worse in the Cerrado,” said the head of the Latin America department at WWF Germany, Roberto Maldonado. “Deforestation is moving from the planet’s most important rainforest to the most biodiverse savanna.”
