Status: 02.07.2021 1:47 p.m.
In June, more than 2,300 forest fires raged in the Brazilian Amazon region – more than in 14 years. Environmentalists blame President Bolsonaro for the disaster.
According to data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), 2308 fires were registered in the Brazilian Amazon region in June. That is 2.6 percent more than in June 2020, when the number of fires had already reached a record – and not as many since June 2007. At that time there were over 3,500 fires.
Throughout 2020, INPE recorded 103,000 fires in the Brazilian Amazon – an increase of nearly 16 percent year-over-year.
According to environmentalists and climate activists, the risk of fires at the beginning of the dry season in the Amazon region is particularly high. At the beginning of the Amazonian summer there is a natural decline in rainfall for several months, according to a statement from Greenpeace Brazil.
Burning of surfaces is prohibited for 120 days
Greenpeace connects the fires with the deforestation of the rainforest and climate change: “We are living in a very sad moment for the forest and its people.” These would be attacked from all sides – be it by loggers and gold diggers advancing into their areas, or by the acts and omissions of Congress and the government.
On Tuesday, the Brazilian government banned the burning of land in the Amazon region for 120 days – just like last year, when the fires continued to rage.
Rainforest important for climate protection
Whether Brazil will actually step up its efforts against the destruction is questionable. President Jair Bolsonaro is a proponent of the economic exploitation of the Amazon region. He came under repeated violent criticism because of devastating fires. He is accused of accepting the destruction in order to open up new areas for agriculture, livestock and mining.
The Amazon rainforest is of central importance for climate protection – it is considered the “green lung” of the earth. The trees can absorb and store CO2. However, when they burn down, die off, or are cut down, the greenhouse gas is released back into the atmosphere.