The new deforestation figures, released by Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research, provide the clearest evidence to date that deforestation in the Amazon is on a solidly upward trend on Bolsonaro’s watch. Bolsonaro, who has long argued that conservation policies stymie economic development, has been disdainful of the environmental measures that reduced the Amazon deforestation rate between 2004 and 2012. Environmental activists said Monday’s announcement, while not unexpected, was deeply concerning for the Amazon, the world’s largest rainforest. But the Bolsonaro administration has continued to weaken the agencies tasked with enforcing environmental laws and regulations. This year, shortly before the Amazon fires made international headlines, Bolsonaro said that protecting the environment mattered only to vegans.

Source: bd News24 November 19, 2019 03:56 UTC