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Graphic shows deforestation by state in Brazilian Amazon, and rate of forest destruction from 2004-2021.
GN42016EN

ENVIRONMENT

Brazil’s Amazon deforestation at highest level since 2006

By Jordi Bou

November 19, 2021 - Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest soared 22% in a year to the highest level since 2006, undercutting President Jair Bolsonaro’s assurances that the country is curbing illegal logging.

Brazil’s space research agency, INPE, recorded 13,235 square kilometres (5,110 square miles) of deforestation in the world’s largest rainforest in its PRODES satellite data, an area nearly 17 times the size of New York City. The official deforestation data covers a period from August 2020 through July 2021.

The destruction comes despite Bolsonaro’s efforts to show his government is serious about protecting the Amazon, considered critical to staving off catastrophic climate change.

Brazil was among a number of nations who promised to end and reverse deforestation by 2030 during the COP26 climate summit.

Deforestation of the Amazon has increased under President Jair Bolsonaro. who has encouraged agriculture and mining activities in the rainforest.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 19/11/2021; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: Getty Images
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