Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon fell by at least 60% in July compared to the same month last year, the environment minister, Marina Silva, has told the Guardian.
A year ago, under the far-right then president, Jair Bolsonaro, the Amazon was suffering one of the worst cutting and burning seasons in recent history.
The Brazilian president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and environment minister, Marina Silva, present a plan to prevent Amazon deforestation in June 2023.
The key to the improvement in Brazil, which is home to 60% of the Amazon, she said, had been a strong target.
“The main reason is the decision of Lula to aim for zero deforestation.
In the first six months of the year, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon fell by 34%, compared to the same period last year, according to the Deter satellite alert system.
Nonetheless, she saw encouraging signs compared with the last time she was environment minister, from 2003 to 2008. »