Photo:WSJ
By Patryk Krych | The World Daily | MAY 9th 2021
Following the global climate summit, wherein world leaders had gathered to discuss their nations’ futures and goals with regards to new climate goals under the Paris Climate accords alongside other environmental discussions, it’s been noted that the rate of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest had severely skyrocketed.
On Friday, preliminary government data had revealed the shocking news that deforestation levels in the Amazon rainforest had increased by an entire 43% when compared to the same month a year ago. In fact, the data shows this year’s deforestation levels in April to be the month’s worst in all of five years.
Fears are rising amongst conservationists that these statistics are set to worsen ahead of Brazil’s dry season, as deforestation is typically observed to peak between the months of May and October on an annual basis.
The data was gathered via the government’s Deter monitoring system, which provides daily deforestation alerts and updates based on satellite imagery. Particular concern was directed over the fact that the Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro had stated two weeks ago, during the global climate summit, that he’d be willing to commit to curbing Amazon deforestation.
His statements were met with great criticism, given his history thus far with environmental destruction that’s been trending since his election. The forest’s deforestation levels hit a 12-year high in 2020, and reports of illegal logging had also soared following his 2019 election victory after he took office.
US President Joe Biden’s administration have been in talks with Biden’s administration for a while now, and are expecting more immediate action to have this crisis handled. Biden himself has called for stronger action against the levels of Amazon deforestation. Thus far, all of Bolsonaro’s own claims and pledges regarding the Amazon have come down to empty promises that haven’t shown results.
“Biden doesn't want to be in a position where it looks like he is being too soft on Brazil when it comes to the environment,” said a senior associate for the Brazil Institute at the Wilson Centre think tank in Washington, Anya Prusa. “If deforestation goes back up, if we see again significant forest fires in the Amazon in August and September this year, it will make it harder for the U.S. to continue talking to Brazil.”
The fears over the Summer period of 2021 are getting higher, with seemingly nothing being done yet by Bolsonaro or his administration to even slow down in their industrial endeavours. The levels of deforestation in July of 2020 were altogether more destructive than the thus-far amassed levels between this year’s January-April period.
