Amazon deforestation hits record low

Forest clearance in the Brazilian Amazon fell to three thousand three hundred thirty five square kilometres, the lowest level since measurements began in nineteen eighty eight.

Forty one point eight percent drop in one year

The Prodes satellite data showed deforestation fell by forty one point eight percent over the past year, beating the previous record low by one thousand two hundred thirty six square kilometres.

Lula's administration slowed destruction

Since twenty twenty two, the year before Lula took office, deforestation has slowed by seventy one point two percent through stronger enforcement and state investment in environmental agencies.

Worst deforestation by state

Pará registered thirty three point nine percent of all Amazon deforestation, Mato Grosso twenty five point five percent, and Amazonas fifteen point seven percent, though all fell over forty five percent.

Cerrado savannah also recovering

The neighbouring Cerrado biome registered its lowest annual deforestation since two thousand one at five thousand five hundred sixteen square kilometres, down forty eight point four percent over four years.

Bolsonaro's term reversed progress

During Jair Bolsonaro's twenty nineteen to twenty twenty three term, Amazon deforestation increased fifty nine point five percent through cuts to forest protection and reduced enforcement of environmental crimes.

Election run-off on October twenty fifth

Lula faces Flávio Bolsonaro, son of the former president, in a run-off where the two candidates have sharply different visions for the rainforest and relations with the US under Donald Trump.

Everything depends on the result

Marcio Astrini of the Climate Observatory said the country will decide whether to move toward the end of deforestation or toward the end of the forest itself.

“The country will decide whether we move toward the end of deforestation or toward the end of the forest.”