Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon Hits Record Level
2022-07-18
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1Satellite images suggest that deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon hit record levels in the first half of 2022.
2The images were recorded between January and June.
3They show about 4,000 square kilometers of new destruction.
4That is more destruction than has been measured in any six-month period during the seven years Brazil has been keeping such records.
5The information confirms that deforestation is continually happening during the rainy season.
6Deforestation is historically higher in the second half of the year - when it is drier and people can travel more easily in the Amazon.
7Brazil also is set to hold presidential elections in October.
8The process usually causes reductions in law enforcement in the Amazon.
9President Jair Bolsonaro is seeking a second 4-year term.
10Current public opinion studies show his opponent, former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, ahead in the race.
11Brazil's nonprofit Amazon Environmental Research Institute, or IPAM examined the images.
12It said they show that the area destroyed in the first half of 2022 was 80 percent larger than that destroyed in the first half of 2018.
13Bolsonaro took office in 2019.
14Around half of the activity happened on public lands, IPAM said.
15In Brazil, people often illegally seize public land with the expectation that the areas will become legal farmland in the future.
16Other illegal property and timber deals - along with a lack of law enforcement - add to the increasing deforestation rates, said Ane Alencar, IPAM's science director.
17"Those who control the Amazon don't want it preserved," Alencar told The Associated Press.
18"The standing forest has no value in today's Amazon."
19Amazonas state lost the greatest number of trees to the recent cutting, the report said.
20Deforestation in Para and Mato Grosso states have historically registered more tree loss.
21Experts say that development is worrisome because Amazonas is deep in the rainforest and has remained mainly untouched compared to other Amazon areas.
22I'm Bryan Lynn.
1Satellite images suggest that deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon hit record levels in the first half of 2022. 2The images were recorded between January and June. They show about 4,000 square kilometers of new destruction. That is more destruction than has been measured in any six-month period during the seven years Brazil has been keeping such records. 3The information confirms that deforestation is continually happening during the rainy season. Deforestation is historically higher in the second half of the year - when it is drier and people can travel more easily in the Amazon. 4Brazil also is set to hold presidential elections in October. The process usually causes reductions in law enforcement in the Amazon. President Jair Bolsonaro is seeking a second 4-year term. Current public opinion studies show his opponent, former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, ahead in the race. 5Brazil's nonprofit Amazon Environmental Research Institute, or IPAM examined the images. It said they show that the area destroyed in the first half of 2022 was 80 percent larger than that destroyed in the first half of 2018. 6Bolsonaro took office in 2019. 7Around half of the activity happened on public lands, IPAM said. In Brazil, people often illegally seize public land with the expectation that the areas will become legal farmland in the future. 8Other illegal property and timber deals - along with a lack of law enforcement - add to the increasing deforestation rates, said Ane Alencar, IPAM's science director. 9"Those who control the Amazon don't want it preserved," Alencar told The Associated Press. "The standing forest has no value in today's Amazon." 10Amazonas state lost the greatest number of trees to the recent cutting, the report said. Deforestation in Para and Mato Grosso states have historically registered more tree loss. Experts say that development is worrisome because Amazonas is deep in the rainforest and has remained mainly untouched compared to other Amazon areas. 11I'm Bryan Lynn. 12The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. 13____________________________________________________________ 14Words in This Story 15timber - n. wood that is used for building 16preserve - v. to keep something the same or prevent it from being damaged or destroyed 17_______________________________________________________________ 18What do you think of this story? We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 19Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.