Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil is now at its highest level in 15 years, according to data from the Inpe Space Research Center in Brazil.
Over 13,000 square kilometers of forest were lost between 2020 and 2021, which is the most since 2006, writes BBC
Senior researcher at Cicero, Solveig Aamodt has researched Brazil’s climate policy. She is not surprised by the new findings.
– It’s not surprising. Deforestation has increased, and trends have been seen throughout the year. It is a confirmation that the Brazilian authorities are not doing much actively to reduce deforestation, and that the policy that has already been adopted will not be implemented, says Aamodt to Dagbladet.
– It’s absolutely insane
Promised to end deforestation
Brazil has committed itself to a number of climate goals, and has promised to end and reverse deforestation by 2030.
Brazilian Environment Minister Joacquim Leite said the following in a statement to the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow earlier in November.
– We present a new, more ambitious climate goal, said Leite.
Since current president Jair Bolsonaro took over as leader of the country, deforestation in the country has accelerated, writes NTB.
– Is it realistic that Brazil can achieve the goals they have set?
– Not if they continue with the policy they have. The goal is bound for them to receive funding from outside, says Aamodt.
The Minister of the Environment in Brazil, Joaquim Leite, says that the data represent a challenge, and that deforestation must be cracked down on more strongly. At the same time, he believes that the figures do not reflect the current situation, according to the BBC.
Giant slaughtered after detection
Animal and plant species disappear
Deforestation means that all forests are removed from an area. according to FN rainforest corresponding to the size of a football field disappears every six seconds.
The reasons for deforestation are, among other things, that the forest areas are used for arable land and grazing for meat production. The forest can also be cut down to meet the demand for tropical wood.
– It has very big consequences for biodiversity. The more that is deforested, the worse it gets for more species. Both animal and plant species are disappearing, says Aamodt.
Conflicts between those who live off the forest and those who deforest also have several consequences, including conflicts and the killing of forest rangers.
– Smuggling of goods out of the forest creates a lot of conflict, violence and insecurity for those who live in the areas. Indigenous peoples in particular are particularly vulnerable, says Aamodt.
