Earth Equity News

Amazon Deforestation Rate at Historic Low: Brazil. AFP, 12/1/10. “Deforestation of the Amazon forest has fallen to its lowest rate on record, dropping 14% compared to the previous survey period, Brazil's government said recently. Satellite imaging showed 6,451 square kilometers (2,491 square miles) of the jungle had been cut back between August 2009 and July 2010, an area equivalent to half the size of Lebanon or Jamaica. That was less than for the corresponding 12-month period a year earlier, but still more than than the 5,000-square-kilometer target the government was aiming for. Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira hailed the progress, saying it showed anti-deforestation measures started six years ago were still working…Cutting and burning of the Amazon forest is calculated to cause 20% of global carbon dioxide emissions, making Brazil the fourth-biggest greenhouse gas polluter. The government has pledged to cut Amazon deforestation by 80% over the next decade.”