Amazon deforestation in Brazil down to lowest level since 2016

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🗞️ Driving the news: Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest has decreased by nearly 46% over the past year, the largest reduction since 2016
• However, deforestation in Brazil's Cerrado savannah has increased by 9%, raising concerns among environmentalists

🔭 The context: Brazil's government uses satellite data to monitor deforestation, which showed a 4,300 square kilometer loss in the Amazon
• This decline is partly attributed to stricter enforcement following the end of former President Jair Bolsonaro's term, but a strike by federal environmental agencies caused a temporary spike in July 2024

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The Amazon plays a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide and maintaining global climate balance, while the Cerrado, despite less protection, is equally vital for biodiversity and ecosystem services
• The rise in Cerrado deforestation threatens these environmental benefits

⏭️ What's next: Brazil's President Lula da Silva aims for zero deforestation by 2030, emphasizing the need for new protected areas, sustainable practices, and improved transparency in agricultural supply chains
• Enhanced enforcement and broader government action are critical to achieving this goal

💬 One quote: "The Cerrado has become a ‘sacrificed biome’," says Isabel Figueiredo, spokesperson with the Society, Population and Nature Institute

📈 One stat: Deforestation in the Cerrado reached 7,015 square kilometers, 63% more than the Amazon's deforestation

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