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The number of fires that raged in the world’s largest rainforest in 2019 sparked strong reactions around the world.
Figures from Brazil’s national institute for space research, Inpe, show that the number of fires reaches almost the same level, with 29,307 fires in August this year, slightly less than a year ago.
“The fires will increase”
But researcher Alberto Setzer, who is responsible for statistics, says that the figures reported for August will have to be adjusted after a satellite error. That would be the highest level in the last decade.
– Get on. The number of fires will increase. Maybe up to 1 or 2 percent, I guess, Setzer told Reuters.
According to The Guardian, which flew over Novo Progresso, dense plumes of smoke appeared from what are believed to be protected forest areas.
The fires of a year ago raised great concern around the world and demanded that strong measures be taken to save the rainforest. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has defended himself against accusations that he is not doing enough to fight the fires, but instead allowed protected areas to be opened for mining and agriculture.
“This story that the Amazon is on fire is a lie,” Bolsonaro said in August, according to The Guardian.
Bolsonaro defends himself against criticism
At the same time, the Brazilian government has taken certain measures to stop the illegal devastation. In May, military troops were deployed to stop environmental crime in parts of the rainforest. In July, a fire ban was also announced to assure the outside world that the government was taking action.
Greenpeace claims, however, that the measures alone had led to an 8 percent reduction in fires between mid-July and August.
– We see that the tragedy of last year is repeated, says Romulo Batista of Greenpeace in Manaus to The Guardian.
Environmental activist Carlos Rittl, who works for the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies in Germany, tells the newspaper:
Under Bolsonaro, Brazil may become the environment’s greatest global enemy. It’s sad to see it. A small number of people get very rich from this and we are all losers.
