Official data shows Amazon deforestation fell to its lowest level since 1988. The result comes as Brazil prepares for a presidential runoff between Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro.
Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has fallen to its lowest level since records began in 1988, according to new government data. The decline occurs as the country approaches a presidential election run-off on 25 October between incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro.
The Prodes satellite data series, which is considered the most accurate measure of deforestation, showed forest clearance in the Amazon fell by 41.8% over the past year to 3,335 square kilometres. This figure represents the lowest value since the start of such measurements in 1988. The data, collated by Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research, indicates that the current rate beats the previous record low by 1,236 sq km, an area equivalent to the size of Rio de Janeiro.
Since the start of the Lula administration in 2022, the deforestation rate has slowed by 71.2%. This reduction is largely attributed to stronger enforcement measures and state investments in environmental agencies. Outside the Amazon, the neighbouring Cerrado biome registered its lowest annual deforestation since 2001, at 5,516 sq km. Over the past four years, Cerrado deforestation has fallen by 48.4%.
The election run-off pits Lula against Flávio Bolsonaro, who won 47% of the vote in the first round compared to Lula’s 45%. The candidates present differing visions for the rainforest and Brazil’s relationship with the United States.
Lula has warned that US President Donald Trump is trying to colonise the country and capture its resources. He defends the Amazon as a sovereign asset for Brazil. Flávio Bolsonaro has followed his father’s example in courting support from landowners and extractivist interests. His brother, Eduardo Bolsonaro, has lived in Texas since last year and called upon the Trump administration to impose punitive tariffs on Brazil.
Marcio Astrini, the executive secretary of the Climate Observatory, said: “The figure makes it clear that putting an end to forest destruction in Brazil is entirely possible. However, everything depends on the election result. The country will decide whether we move toward the end of deforestation or toward the end of the forest.”
One of Lula’s first moves after taking office in January 2023 was to revive the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Legal Amazon, known by its Portuguese acronym, PPCDAm. The plan had been shelved under Bolsonaro. Measures included restoring sanctions for illegal forest clearing detected by satellites and barring properties with illegal deforestation from receiving bank loans.
Despite the drop in clear-cutting, the Amazon faces other threats. Degradation from wildfires, logging and drought affects about 40% of the Amazon. Fire counts across the biome were near historic lows this year but have tripled since Oct. 4, when Brazilians voted in the first round of national elections. Authorities are investigating whether fires were deliberately set for political reasons ahead of the runoff.
Former environment minister Marina Silva stated that the reduction was a “historic achievement” but warned that Flávio Bolsonaro intends to perpetuate his father’s views. “Those who deny the problem exists will certainly do nothing to address it,” she said. Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign stated: “Flávio Bolsonaro is a defender of the environment and of those who preserve standing forests and clean rivers.”
The Amazon stores vast amounts of carbon dioxide and generates atmospheric moisture that helps regulate weather far beyond South America. Deforestation and other land-use changes are Brazil’s largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. The outcome of the election will determine whether current policies to curb forest loss continue or are reversed, impacting global climate efforts and international relations.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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