Amazon deforestation remains a concern even after the fires

Americas Now

Amazon deforestation remains a concern even after the fires

All of the BRICS nations have called for effective international action on climate change. But that message has been undermined by recent events in Brazil, where the government has faced international criticism for its failure to stop a rise in deforestation in the Amazon.


More than 60% of the world’s largest rainforest is in Brazilian territory. Brazil’s new President, Jair Bolsonaro, has said the forest should not be maintained like a “zoo” but should be open for responsible development.

Brazil exports oil, iron ore and even airplanes. But the country’s economy relies heavily on agriculture products. It’s the world’s biggest producer of beef, coffee, tobacco, sugar, cane-based ethanol and pulp from timber. And it may soon become the top producer of soybeans.

Correspondent Stephen Gibbs reports that all of these things combined are putting a lot of pressure on the Amazon rainforest.