Government data revealed that deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon has surged to its highest since 2008. Destruction has only continued to accelerate since President Jair Bolsonaro took office and disregarded environmental concerns.
A total of 11,088 sq km (4,281 sq miles) of rainforest were destroyed from August 2019 to July 2020, making it a 9.5% increase from the previous year.
The President has a previous record of encouraging development in the rainforest while also cutting funds for federal agencies in charge of arresting farmers and loggers who break environmental law.
Last year, Bolsonaro accused the National Institute for Space Research of tarnishing Brazil’s reputation after it released the country’s deforestation data.
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