In a remarkable environmental turnaround, Brazil's Amazon rainforest witnessed a 50% reduction in deforestation in 2023, the lowest level since 2018, according to the latest government data. This development marks a significant achievement for President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has made combating deforestation a cornerstone of his administration, particularly in his inaugural year.
President Lula, known for his commitment to environmental issues, has pledged to eradicate illegal deforestation in Brazil by 2030. This commitment stands in stark contrast to the tenure of his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, under whose administration the Amazon experienced accelerated destruction.
The preliminary satellite data from Brazil's space research agency, INPE, indicates that 5,153 square kilometers of the Amazon were deforested in 2023. While this figure represents a substantial drop from 2022's levels, it's still equivalent to over six times the size of New York City, highlighting the significant challenges President Lula faces in meeting his ambitious environmental goals.
Brazil's Environment Ministry said the positive figures came on the back of "decisive" inspection efforts by environment watchdog Ibama, stressing that the number of notices of infraction issued by the agency rose 106% in the period.
"This is the first step towards achieving the goal of zero deforestation by 2030," the ministry said in a statement on social media.
December 2023 saw a particularly notable decline in deforestation, with a 23% decrease compared to the same period in the previous year, according to INPE data. This reduction totals 176.8 square kilometers.
According to US News, the Brazilian Environment Ministry attributes these encouraging results to robust inspection efforts by Ibama, the country's environmental watchdog. The ministry reported a 106% increase in the number of infraction notices issued, a testament to the intensified enforcement activities under the current government.
Celebrating this milestone, the Environment Ministry emphasized that the reduced deforestation rates represent just the beginning of Brazil's journey towards achieving zero deforestation by 2030, a target that aligns with President Lula's environmental vision. The ministry's statement on social media reinforces the commitment to continuing and enhancing measures to protect the Amazon, a crucial ecosystem for global climate stability.
Eunice is a sustainability writer whose passion is sharing accessible eco-friendly practices with GreenCitizen's global readership. She enjoys birdwatching during her downtime, often deriving inspiration from nature's resilience. An enthusiastic cyclist, she is also an ardent advocate of eco-friendly transport.
Environment ,
Amazon Deforestation Halves in Brazil, Hits Five-Year Record Low
by : Eunice Rodriguez | Published: January 25, 2024
Brazil’s Amazon sees a significant reduction in deforestation, marking a major environmental win for President Lula’s administration.
In a remarkable environmental turnaround, Brazil's Amazon rainforest witnessed a 50% reduction in deforestation in 2023, the lowest level since 2018, according to the latest government data. This development marks a significant achievement for President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has made combating deforestation a cornerstone of his administration, particularly in his inaugural year.
President Lula, known for his commitment to environmental issues, has pledged to eradicate illegal deforestation in Brazil by 2030. This commitment stands in stark contrast to the tenure of his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, under whose administration the Amazon experienced accelerated destruction.
The preliminary satellite data from Brazil's space research agency, INPE, indicates that 5,153 square kilometers of the Amazon were deforested in 2023. While this figure represents a substantial drop from 2022's levels, it's still equivalent to over six times the size of New York City, highlighting the significant challenges President Lula faces in meeting his ambitious environmental goals.
"This is the first step towards achieving the goal of zero deforestation by 2030," the ministry said in a statement on social media.
December 2023 saw a particularly notable decline in deforestation, with a 23% decrease compared to the same period in the previous year, according to INPE data. This reduction totals 176.8 square kilometers.
According to US News, the Brazilian Environment Ministry attributes these encouraging results to robust inspection efforts by Ibama, the country's environmental watchdog. The ministry reported a 106% increase in the number of infraction notices issued, a testament to the intensified enforcement activities under the current government.
Celebrating this milestone, the Environment Ministry emphasized that the reduced deforestation rates represent just the beginning of Brazil's journey towards achieving zero deforestation by 2030, a target that aligns with President Lula's environmental vision. The ministry's statement on social media reinforces the commitment to continuing and enhancing measures to protect the Amazon, a crucial ecosystem for global climate stability.
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Eunice Rodriguez
Eunice is a sustainability writer whose passion is sharing accessible eco-friendly practices with GreenCitizen's global readership. She enjoys birdwatching during her downtime, often deriving inspiration from nature's resilience. An enthusiastic cyclist, she is also an ardent advocate of eco-friendly transport.
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