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From: TT
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Photo: ALBERTO CESAR / Greenpeace / AP / TT
The rainforest has been deforested to make way for soy cultivation, in this photo taken in Novo Progreso, Brazil in 2004.
Deforestation in the Amazon is the highest in twelve years, according to official figures from Brazil.
In 2020, deforestation in the world’s largest rainforest increased 9.5 percent from the previous year, to 11,088 square kilometers.
Forests like the Amazon play an important role, as they absorb carbon dioxide from the air and store it. But when the trees die or are burned, the carbon dioxide is released again.
“As a result of such deforestation, Brazil is probably the only one of the main greenhouse gas emitting countries that has managed to increase its emissions during the year in which the coronavirus pandemic paralyzed the world economy,” said the Brazilian climate observatory, a coalition of various environmental groups.
Thus, Brazil is failing to achieve its own goal, which was set out in legislation in 2009, of reducing deforestation to around 3,900 square kilometers. It is not clear what the consequences will be, but the government led by Bolsonar may be sued.
Under his tenure, the government of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has sought to open up protected lands for mining and agriculture, and has cut funding for environmental protection programs.
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