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Scientists: This Election Could Decide Amazon's Fate
Newser • • world
Key Points:
- Brazil's presidential runoff features right-wing senator Flávio Bolsonaro leading, with significant implications for the Amazon rainforest's future, which Brazil controls about 60% of.
- Under former president Jair Bolsonaro, deforestation surged dramatically, destroying approximately 4.6 million hectares in four years, while current president Lula da Silva has reduced deforestation to record lows through stronger enforcement.
- Lula da Silva aims for zero deforestation by 2030, whereas Flávio Bolsonaro promises to end illegal deforestation by 2029 but plans to expand infrastructure and resource extraction in the Amazon, raising environmental concerns.
- Experts warn that increased legal tree-cutting and infrastructure development could push the Amazon toward a tipping point by 2050, potentially transforming it into savanna and disrupting regional rainfall and agriculture.
