11 February:
Rate of Brazil Amazon´s Deforestation Rises
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The Brazilian Government has announced a huge rise in the rate of Amazon Deforestation. Only in the last five months of 2007, 3,235 sq km (1,250 sq miles) were lost and according to INPE (Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais or National Institute of Space Research) this loss rate was umprecedented for the time of the year. According to Officials one of the causes is believed to be the clearing of land to plant crops such as soya, which has became an attractive investment for farmers. The Environment Minister of Brazil, Marina Siilva said “The economic reality of these states indicate that these activities impact, without a shadow of a doubt, on the forest,”. |
| The state of Mato Grosso was the worst affected, contributing more than half the total area of forest stripped, or 1,786 sq km (700 sq miles). The states of |
| The situation may also be worse than reported, with the environment ministry saying the preliminary assessment of the amount of forest cleared could double as more detailed satellite images are analyzed. |
| Ironically, last year President Lula commented about how his government´s efforts to control illegal logging and introduce better certification of land ownership had helped reduce forest clearance significantly. |
| Source: Brazil Amazon deforestation soars by BBC News at http://news.bbc.co.uk/ |