Brazilian deforestation rate skyrockets to new levels

Toward the end of 2010, deforestation rates in the South American country of Brazil – home to the world’s largest rainforest (Amazon) – were on the decline; rates in the country were the lowest since they began keeping track over two decades ago.

Not even one year later, though, and new reports paint an entirely dimmer, grimmer picture.

According to satellite data, deforestation throughout Brazil is already six times greater this year than last year over a mere two month period.

Between the months of March and April 2010, deforestation held steady at 103 square kilometers – a number that, while significantly large already, has since jumped to 593 square kilometers over the same two months of 2011 alone.

The Brazilian government is reportedly planning to instate immediate measures to reduce deforestation rates by early Summer 2011.

Soybean agriculture, forest codes are major factors

Overall, the region has seen a 27% increase in deforestation from August 2010 to April 201 – a large portion of which is due in part to soybean farming in the Mato Grosso state. Nearly a quarter of all of the country’s soybean exports are grown in the region.

Also, environment groups cite the purportedly weak Brazilian Forest Code as a major contributor to deforestation in the region. While the Code states that 80% of a farmer’s land must stay forested, farmlands have been known to drop as low as 20% without any major repercussions; farmers essentially strip their land of resources in order to keep up with rising demands while offsetting costs with record profits.