Deforestation in Brazil declines

Deforestation is declining significantly in Brazil and Colombia, according to a new report from the World Resources Institute (WRI). But both deforestation and forest fires are increasing in Bolivia, Laos and Nicaragua.

Brazil’s left-wing president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has put a lot of emphasis on stopping the destruction of the country’s rainforest, with a plan to end deforestation completely by 2030. He has also promised to restore the rainforest that has already been damaged. Last year, the rate of deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon region was cut in half, the lowest rate recorded in the last five years.

The new analysis shows that Brazil’s forest losses were 36% lower than the previous year, which analysts attribute to Lula da Silva’s policies.

– I think what we’re seeing in Brazil, for example, is really a case of putting law enforcement back in place that was dismantled during the previous government, said Rod Taylor of WRI, according to the BBC.

Rainforest initiative in Colombia

Also in Colombia, President Gustavo Petro Urrego has worked to reduce rainforest logging, resulting in a nearly 50% reduction in deforestation last year compared to 2022.

– The story of deforestation in Colombia is complex and deeply intertwined with the country’s politics, which makes 2023’s historic decrease particularly powerful, said Alejandra Laina of WRI in Colombia:

– There is no doubt that recent government action and the commitment of the communities has had a profound impact on Colombia’s forests, and we encourage those involved in current peace talks to use this data as a springboard to accelerate further progress.

However, the analysis also shows that deforestation has increased in Bolivia, Laos and Nicaragua at the same time. In Bolivia, for example, there was a record 27 percent increase from 2022, with about half of the rainforest loss due to fires. In both Laos and Nicaragua, rainforest has instead been cleared to make way for agriculture.