Brazil: Amazon Deforestation Drops Sharply in 2023

Facts

Preliminary government data released Thursday showed that deforestation in Brazil's Amazon fell 34% in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period a year ago, hitting its lowest level in four years. This comes as President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva institutes stricter environmental policies.¹
New data indicate that 2,649 sq km (or 1,023 sq miles) of rainforest were cleared in the first half of this year, according to Brazil's National Space Research Agency — the lowest tally since 2019.²
In comparison, 3,988 sq km (1,540 sq mi) of Amazon rainforest were cleared in the first six months of 2022 under Jair Bolsonaro.³
During a presentation in the capital Brasilia, João Paulo Capobianco, the Environment Ministry's executive secretary, said: "The effort of reversing the curve of growth has been reached. That is a fact: we reversed the curve; deforestation isn't increasing."⁴
Brazil's federal environmental agency has strengthened remote surveillance by using land records to identify the owners of illegally deforested areas. Consequent sanctions include embargos restricting access to financial loans, and the seizure of thousands of illegally raised cattle within prohibited areas.⁵
Lula campaigned last year with pledges to stop illegal logging as well as to undo environmental damage caused during Bolsonaro's presidency. Brazil is attempting to eliminate deforestation by 2030 despite the environmental agency's loss of staff under prior governments.⁶

Narrative A, as provided by NBC Bay Area. After four years of rising destruction in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest, action against deforestation has finally taken effect under Lula. This is good news for everyone, given that two-thirds of the world's rainforests are located in Brazil — covering an area twice the size of India. The Amazon's future is integral to humanity, holding tremendous stores of carbon and serving as a crucial buffer against climate change.
Narrative B, as provided by The Economist. If Lula is to fulfill his green promises, he needs to stop showing loyalty to the state oil company and agribusiness. Oil and agriculture are increasingly important for the country, and lobbyists command sizeable power in both houses of Congress. Part of the agriculture sector’s expansion happened under Lula’s first two administrations as trade with China continues to accelerate. There are concerning entanglements here.