Despite President Bolsonaro’s environmental promises, deforestation surged 22% in the past year, reaching alarming levels.
Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest has hit its highest level since 2006, according to the government’s annual report, with a significant 22% increase in the past year. This surge in destruction undermines President Jair Bolsonaro’s claims that his government is making strides to curb illegal logging and preserve the vital ecosystem.
Brazil’s space research agency, INPE, reported that 13,235 square kilometers (5,110 square miles) of rainforest were lost between August 2020 and July 2021, an area almost 17 times the size of New York City. Despite international pressure and pledges from Bolsonaro’s administration, the destruction continues to escalate, with deforestation rising in each of the past four cycles—an unprecedented trend since records began in 2000.
While the government had touted preliminary data showing a slight decline, the final figures paint a much bleaker picture. Bolsonaro, who has pushed for more mining and commercial farming in protected areas of the rainforest, faced criticism for downplaying the severity of the situation, especially as the data was known before the UN climate summit in Glasgow earlier this month.
During the summit, Brazil’s government advanced a pledge to end illegal deforestation by 2028, two years earlier than initially planned. However, experts argue that such a target will require drastic and immediate action, especially given the current trajectory.
Brazil’s environment minister, Joaquim Pereira Leite, acknowledged the challenge, calling for more forceful measures to combat illegal deforestation and environmental crimes. Yet, with the Amazon facing relentless pressure from illegal activities, the country’s environmental future remains uncertain.
