Brazil’s Atlantic forest records lowest deforestation in 40 years
Summary
Brazil’s Atlantic forest recorded its lowest deforestation level in 40 years in 2025, with less than 9,000 hectares cleared. However, environmentalists worry new laws and a possible far-right government may reverse this progress.Key Facts
- The Atlantic forest is Brazil’s most threatened biome and home to 80% of the population, including cities like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
- In 2025, deforestation fell to 8,658 hectares, the lowest since monitoring started in 1985.
- Two data systems show deforestation dropped by about 28-40% from 2024 to 2025.
- Under President Bolsonaro (2019-2023), deforestation increased, surpassing 20,000 hectares annually in his last two years.
- The new "devastation bill" passed by Brazil’s congress weakens environmental laws by removing federal oversight for state-approved deforestation.
- There is concern that if Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, wins the upcoming election, deforestation could rise again.
- The Atlantic forest now has only 24% of its original forest left, compared to 80% in the Amazon and 50% in the Cerrado.
- Environmental efforts and public pressure helped reduce deforestation recently, with hopes to reach zero deforestation within three years if trends continue.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.