Alarming decline: Amazon rainforest loses dramatic area!

Alarming decline: Amazon rainforest loses dramatic area!

In May 2025, Brazil recorded an alarming decline in deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. This month, the loss of the forest area rose by 92 percent compared to May 2024. A total of 960 square kilometers was lost, which is the second worst result for a May. This situation follows a positive trend, since in 2024 the deforestation in Brazil had decreased for the first time in six years. However, under the previous President Jair Bolsonaro, who served between 2019 and 2022, the deforestation increased significantly because he saw the region primarily as an economic potential and restricted control over the environmental authorities.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has set out to put an end to illegal deforestation by 2030. Since taking office at the beginning of 2023, the government has initiated more intensive measures to control these activities. These new approaches already show success. Between August 2023 and July 2024, deforestation in the Amazon area was reduced to the lowest level in nine years. A total of 6,288 square kilometers were cut down during this period, which corresponds to a decline of 30.6 percent compared to the previous year

success in the fight against deforestation

In addition to the improvements in the Amazon rainforest, there were also positive developments in the Cerrado. There, deforestation fell by 25.7 percent to 8,174 square kilometers, the first reduction in four years. President Lula da Silva had already announced when you took office to bring environmental protection back into focus again in the country. These measures include the designation of new protection and indigenous areas as well as the reactivation of the Amazon Fund, which was launched in January 2023.

While these developments give hope for a positive turn, the challenge remains great. The Brazilian authorities are determined to act against illegal deforestation. Nevertheless, the problems due to the increase in legalized forest destruction and organized environmental crime are increasing, which continue to be major risks to biodiversity and the climate

context and international cooperation

The Amazon rainforest extends over nine countries and houses more plant and animal species than any other place on earth. It is also an important CO2 memory in the fight against climate change. Despite the positive developments, the pressure remains high: Around 20 percent of the total area of ​​the Amazon rainforest have already been destroyed in the last century. The UN Climate Conference COP30 will take place in Belém in Brazilian in November and could be a platform to coordinate further international efforts in this important area.

German-Brazilian collaboration plays an important role in combating illegal deforestation, especially in Amazonia, and aims to reconcile ecological, social and economic interests. The focus of the efforts is on the focus of the efforts to leave an intact environment.

according to Kleine Zeitung and other reports can be seen that a trend in Deforestation of the Amazon rainforest is possible. The potential for positive changes is therefore available, but it continues to require consistent efforts and international cooperation.