Amazon devastated by increasing deforestation showing signs of crisis
Deforestation across the Amazon rainforest is increasing day by day, with environmental campaigners growing increasingly concerned by the sheer level of destruction and devastation they are witnessing throughout this ecological wonder of the world.
Surging to record levels this year, deforestation in the region totalled more than 1,000 square kilometres in the month of April alone.
When we combine the first four months of 2022, logging increased by 69% when compared with the same period in 2021.
This is an area of land more than double the size of New York City and there’s fears this is just the beginning.
The practice has had a resurgence in popularity since far-right president Bolsanaro took office, with his administration encouraging deforestation and even implementing a range of weaker environmental protection policies – prioritising a struggling jobs market over sustainability.
Bolsonaro argues more farming and mining in the Amazon equals less poverty in the region.
Brazil’s ministries of environment and justice say the government is making major efforts to fight environmental crimes.
But why is the Amazon so important and why does it pain environmentalists to see so much deforestation?
Because the rainforest plays a key role in protecting the Earth from the ever-increasing effects of climate change, sucking up a huge amount of climate-warming carbon dioxide every single day.
In fact, worldwide, forests suck up 2.4 billion metric tons of carbon each year, with the Amazon absorbing a quarter of that total.
