Brazil’s Amazon faces the threat of deforestation at the highest rate in 15 years

Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil has increased dramatically in 15 years, according to statistics that raise new questions about Brasília’s commitment to end deforestation in the world’s tropical rain forest.

More than 13,200 sq km of rainforest was demolished in the 12 months between August last year and July – a 22 percent jump from last year and the worst deforestation since 2006 – according to a report released Thursday by the National Institute for Space Research.

In the last three years, Brazil has lost more than 30,000 sq km of tropical rain forest — an area similar to Belgium — largely by loggers, herdsmen, gold miners, and land grabbers.

The news comes just weeks after Brazil won a landslide victory Photo of COP26 in Glasgow, including the promise to end deforestation by the end of the decade, if not the next.

When applauded by the ambassadors, the promises were fulfilled with suspicion from environmentalists, who pointed out that President Jair Bolsonaro always showed his support to deforestation.

Just one week before the COP meeting, the right-wing leader met with gold miners at a camp in northern Amazon in Roraima.

“Since his election campaign, Bolsonaro has been saying he is protesting [environmental protection groups] Ibama and ICMBio are any kind of lighting in the field. This has the potential to greatly accelerate the process [regarding deforestation], ”Said an environmental officer in the rain forest.

“Today, these illegal groups firmly believe they can cut down forests or dig in protected areas or in natural lands. That’s a big change, and I think that’s the worst change that can ever happen.

Marcio Astrini, secretary-general of the Brazilian Climate Observatory, said the results released Thursday highlighted the “results of persistent, prepared and sustainable efforts” by Bolsonaro officials to remove environmental protection issues.

“Contrary to the false allegations made by the government and its allies at COP26 in Glasgow, this is a real Brazilian country, from the hottest country to the worst crime in the world. Amazon, ”He said.

Joaquim Leite, Brazil’s environment minister, said the report did not reflect the government’s response to deforestation, including the hiring of 700 conservationists and the allocation of funds to the country’s conservation agencies.

“The results are not yet visible in the statistics. We will start creating budgets for millions [of reais] for Ibama and ICMBio to be modern, “he said.

The issue is bound to grow in Brazil’s international relations, especially with European countries.

Earlier this week Virginijus Sinkevicius, EU Commissioner for Environment and Maritime Affairs, told the Financial Times that Brussels wanted to ban the export of food, such as cattle and soybeans, to areas at risk of deforestation.

The drafting of legislation envisaged by the bloc, if approved, would force companies to ensure that trade sold to a single EU market did not contribute to illegal and illegal deforestation or deforestation through agriculture.

Passing through nine Latin American countries and an area of ​​approximately 390bn trees, the Amazon rain forest is a major source of carbon dioxide from around the world.

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