Brazil's Amazon deforestation decreases by 34% under Lula's leadership, but El Niño raises forest fire risk

Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon has dropped by 34% during the first six months of President Lula's term, according to government satellite data. This marks a reversal from the four years of rising destruction under former leader Bolsonaro. However, experts caution that the fight against deforestation is not over, as the data only covers the first half of the year and the dry season, when deforestation tends to increase, is still ahead. Lula has pledged to rein in illegal logging and undo the environmental devastation caused during Bolsonaro's term, but challenges remain, including a shortage of personnel and the looming threat of forest fires exacerbated by El Niño. To achieve the goal of ending net deforestation in the Amazon by 2030, experts emphasize the need for sustainable productive chains and community management in the region.