Brazilian Amazon deforestation falls to lowest on record as pivotal vote looms
Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has reached its lowest level since records began in 1988, marking a 71.2% decline since 2022. The progress remains a key political issue ahead of a pivotal presidential run-off election.
Why it matters
The Amazon is a critical carbon sink, and its preservation is essential for global climate stability and international environmental policy.
A deforested area of the Amazon rainforest in Amazonas state. A deforested area of the Amazon rainforest in Amazonas state. Amazon rainforest Brazilian Amazon deforestation falls to lowest on record as pivotal vote looms Forest clearance lowest since records began in 1988 in success for Lula ahead of presidential run-off
Prefer the Guardian on Google Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has fallen its lowest level since records began, new government data shows.
But whether this globally important success is maintained or reversed is on a knife edge ahead of a presidential election run-off on 25 October between two candidates with sharply different visions for the future of the rainforest and how that affects relations with the US under Donald Trump.
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