In a striking turn, Brazil has reported an 11.08 % drop in deforestation across the Amazon region in the twelve months through July, bringing the total to 5,796 km²—the lowest annual rate recorded since 2014. Meanwhile, the savanna region of the Cerrado saw an 11.49% reduction, with 7,235 km² cleared—marking a six-year low and the second consecutive year of decline.
This achievement comes just ahead of the global spotlight at COP30, which Brazil is hosting. It reflects on the promise made by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to end deforestation by 2030. Environment Minister Marina Silva—who has spearheaded the push—remarked that even she “never imagined” the shift would bring such rapid gains so early.
However, the story is not one-dimensional: while deforestation rates are down, fire-detections and drought stress remain concerning in the Amazon ecosystem—showing that the fight for forest resilience is far from over. Read More
News Credit: Reuters
Picture Credit: REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino