The government's yearly report showed that deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest increased by 22% in the last year, reaching its highest level since 2006, undermining President Jair Bolsonaro's claims that the country is combating illicit logging.
Worst Numbers in Years
According to a report released on Thursday by Brazil's space research organization, INPE, satellite data revealed 13,235 square kilometers (5,110 square miles) of deforestation in the world's biggest rainforest, an area roughly 17 times the size of New York City. The official deforestation statistics span the months of August 2020 and July 2021.
The damage continues despite Bolsonaro's efforts to prove that his administration is serious about saving the Amazon, which is vital to avoiding catastrophic climate change.
The far-right former army captain continues to advocate for increased mining and commercial farming in protected rainforest areas.
Halting Illegal Deforestation
Brazil's government announced a two-year deadline to halt illegal deforestation by 2028 during the UN climate conference in Glasgow this month, a goal that would need drastic yearly reductions in deforestation.
The damage continues despite Bolsonaro's efforts to demonstrate that his administration is serious about saving the Amazon, which is vital to avoiding catastrophic climate change.
Related Article: Bolsonaro's Neglect Will Be the Downfall of Amazon Rainforest, Activists Warn
Increased Activity in Protected Areas
In protected rainforest areas, the far-right former army commander advocates for increased mining and commercial farming.
Brazil's government announced a two-year deadline to halt illegal deforestation by 2028 during the United Nations Climate Summit in Glasgow this month, a goal that would need drastic yearly reductions in deforestation.
At a press conference on Thursday, environment minister Joaquim Pereira Leite stated, "The numbers are still a challenge for us, and we have to be stronger regarding these offenses."
"Inaccurate" Reports
He told reporters that the statistics did not represent the government's recent increased enforcement against illicit forestry but that the government must do more to combat the devastation.
The data also questions Brazil's participation in a global agreement with more than 100 other countries to end deforestation by 2030, which was also announced during the conference.
Protecting Brazil
Brazil was viewed as vital to the global deal since it is home to the bulk of its biggest rainforest. The Amazon's trees absorb massive volumes of carbon dioxide that would otherwise cause global warming.
"The figures are still a challenge for us," environment minister Joaquim Pereira Leite said during a news conference on Thursday. "We have to be more firm about these violations."
He told reporters that the figures did not reflect the government's recent enhanced crackdown against illegal logging but that the government needed to do more to stop the destruction.
The report also casts doubt on Brazil's involvement in a worldwide pact to eliminate deforestation by 2030, also unveiled during the summit.
The data revealed "actual Brazil that the Bolsonaro government seeks to cover with fictional discourses and greenwashing efforts overseas," according to Mauricio Voivodic, president of environmental group WWF in Brazil.
"What the reality indicates is that the Bolsonaro government has hastened the devastation of the Amazon," he stated.
Also Read: Too Late? Amazon Greenhouse Study Shows Worsening Climate Conditions Despite Initiatives
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