Brazil detects record Amazon deforestation in Jan. and Feb.

RIO DE JANEIRO — Detected deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon reached a record high for the month of February following a similar record the prior month. Satellite alerts of deforestation in February corresponded to 199 square kilometers, the highest indicator for that month in seven years of record-keeping and 62% more than in the same month in 2021, according to preliminary data from the Brazilian space agency’s Deter monitoring system that were released on Friday. Deter data last month showed January registered 430 square kilometers of deforestation, more than quadruple the level in the same month last year. “We know that many who are deforesting, and even lawmakers who approve bills that favor deforestation, are betting on all or nothing, now or never, for forest destruction and reduction of forest protection through legislation.” Earlier this week, thousands of Brazilians answered the call of artists and nonprofits, gathering outside Congress to protest bills they say threaten the Amazon rainforest by encouraging deforestation and industrial activity on protected Indigenous lands. According to Prodes data related to the 12-month reference period from Aug. 2020 to July 2021, deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon reached a 15-year high after a 22% jump from the prior year.