Recently it was confirmed by the National Institute for Space Research that the amount of deforestation in the Amazon touched 5,891 square kilometres between July 2012 and August 2013. That represents an increase of approximately 29 per cent compared to the previous year. The deforestation rate exceeded government forecasts by 1 per cent. The government forecast was made publicly available following pressure from non- governmental organisations and with figures like that, it is hardly surprising that many people are worried.
Will Deforestation Quicken?
WWF Brazil’s Marco Lentini says he wonders whether the announcement means that in the coming years there will be an increase in the deforestation rate in the Amazon rainforest. The most recent rate may have been caused by government regulation such as the new Forest Code. However Mr. Lentini says it is only possible to confirm this hypothesis when the preliminary rates for 2013 to 2014 are made available, which should occur following the Brazilian general election.
“The government talks about ‘efficiency’ in the fight against deforestation, with a 79% reduction since 2004’. But any deforestation – particularly illegal – is totally unacceptable and should be stopped immediately”, said Mr. Lentini.
There Are Huge Consequences
Aside from the loss of biodiversity, deforestation in the rainforest means that economies and communities that depend on the Amazon face an uncertain future. There are of course consequences for the climate as well which are caused by changes in the rainfall levels and increases in greenhouse gas emissions. Mr. Lentini says it is important to strengthen the mechanisms which are used to protect and value the rainforest such as the Forest Code. There is a need to monitor deforestation across all Brazilian biomes which also contain a wide range of biodiversity and are losing their vegetation cover without people noticing.
Government Should Implement Conservation Proposals
WWF-Brazil has made several proposals designed to encourage sustainable development and defend Brazil’s natural riches that were debated by the main candidates in the 2014 election. WWF has said there should be monitoring of deforestation on an annual basis as well as the implementation of prevention and control plans for each biome which would put a halt to illegal deforestation so that the target of zero vegetation loss is achieved. With support from the Dilma Roussef government it is hoped that much of the deforestation that is threatening the Amazon rain forest will soon be curtailed.
