Amazon deforestation reality revealed

It was one ecological disaster that had apparently been stopped.

After decades of obliteration, the illegal deforestation that had blemished the world’s largest rainforest had seemingly been stopped.

President of Brazil, Lula de Silva, in August went on the radio to celebrate the breakthrough, with environmental ministers praising the great achievement for Brazilian society.

Yesterday this good news was halted when ministers confessed that deforestation had once again risen substantially.

A minimum 1280sq mile of rainforest was lost between August and December last year, mainly as a result of cattle ranching and soy planting, government satellite images reveal.

Head of the National Institute for Space Research says how this high a level of deforestation has never been previously detected. Environmentalists say that around 20% of the Amazon has already been destroyed. They estimate that by 2050 if the development is not reversed an increased 40% could be lost.

Lula de Silva yesterday after the release of these worrying figures called an emergency cabinet meeting which resulted in officials announcing a crackdown on farmers and loggers.

The Amazon director of Brazil’s Greenpeace, Paulo Adario discussed how although government figures have bought some success, the government doesn’t control the economic reality and that it is this that controls deforestation; when soy and meat prices rise, so too does deforestation.

Signs of deforestation were evident in May last year when environmental campaigners first voiced anxiety. Vast tracts of land seemed to glow in Malto Grosso, making way for soy plantations. Farmers seemed to sense that plans to eliminate deforestation wouldn’t work.

The environmental minister, Marina Silva, yesterday released plans of an anti-deforestation drive that will focus on 36 chief areas. Silva spoke of the rainforest as if it were a patient being treated, stating how sometimes however much a doctor does there are variables to which the doctor may realise he needs to alter the medicine.