In recent months, the debate on deforestation in the Amazon has acquired new contours with the publication of the most recent data from the Legal Amazon Deforestation Satellite Monitoring Project (Prodes). The analysis, which covers the period from August 2023 to July 2024, revealed a significant decrease in deforested area compared to the previous year. This achievement marks a 30.6% decline in total explored area, demonstrating more effective control over fires and illegal operations in the region.
With this reduction to 6 thousand km², the current rate is the lowest since 2017, denoting a joint effort between public policies and collaborations with the private sector. The Minister of the Environment, Marina Silvastated that the integration of different sectors was instrumental in this decrease. Deforestation has always been a sensitive issue, but concrete measures are currently in place to contain it.
Deforestation in the Amazon recorded the largest decline in 15 years: 31% in 2024. This progress represents a milestone in the goals of the Paris Agreement and signals that Brazil can and must increase its climate ambitions and eliminate deforestation https://t.co/z350CbehTD
— Climate Observatory (@obsclima) November 6, 2024
How does Prodes work to monitor deforestation?
Prodes is considered the most accurate tool for measuring annual deforestation rates. Unlike the Real-Time Deforestation Detection System (Deter), which sends monthly alerts, Prodes offers a detailed annual overview. This system is vital for formulating environmental policies and developing conservation strategies in national biomes.
Reducing deforestation is an important step for Brazil towards achieving its international climate goals. Over the past two decades, the rate of forest exploitation reached its peak in 2004, with the deforestation of 27,700 km². There was a substantial decline until 2012, but the numbers increased again in 2015. The recent result reveals a positive direction, especially after administrations with few reductions during the government of Jair Bolsonaro.
- In 2019, the deforested area reached 10,129 km².
- In 2020 it rose to 10,851 km².
- In 2021, 13 thousand km² were deforested.
What are the implications for the Cerrado?
Not only has the Amazon recorded progress, but also the Cerrado, which showed a decrease in deforestation of 25.7% to 8,174 km² in the last cycle evaluated. This result is significant, considering that it is the first reduction in four years, according to Prodes Cerrado, managed by the National Institute for Space Research (Inpe).
- Bahia recorded a 63.3% decrease in deforestation.
- Maranhão recorded a decline of 15.1%.
- In Piauí the reduction was 10.1%.
- Tocantins reduced deforestation by 9.6%.
These measures contribute to the preservation of Brazil’s water basin, as the Cerrado plays a crucial role in the distribution of water in the different river basins.
Source: Terra
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