'6.6 Times the Size of Seoul' Disappeared... Amazon Rainforest Destruction Accelerates

Maximum Level as of First Half Based on Related Statistics
Area Destroyed in June in Seoul Equivalent to Twice Its Size... Main Cause: 'Fire'
"Brazilian President Criticized for Accelerating Amazon Forest Deforestation"

The Brazilian Amazon rainforest destroyed by fire. Photo by AP, Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Se-eun] It has been revealed that the tropical rainforest in the Brazilian Amazon destroyed in the first half of this year amounts to 6.6 times the area of Seoul.

On the 7th (local time), the Brazilian National Institute for Space Research announced that 3,987㎢ of the Amazon rainforest was destroyed from January to June this year. This is the largest scale for the first half of the year since the institute began compiling statistics in 2016.

In June alone, nearly twice the area of Seoul, 1,120㎢, was destroyed. This is also the highest monthly figure on record.

The main cause of the tropical rainforest destruction is attributed to fires. May and June, which generally correspond to the dry season, are when many fires and deforestation activities occur in the Amazon. In May, the highest number of fires since 2004 was recorded. The institute’s satellites detected 2,287 fire incidents.

Meanwhile, there are claims that the destruction of the Amazon rainforest has accelerated since the inauguration of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

Some environmental groups have criticized President Jair Bolsonaro for accelerating deforestation in the Amazon forest. According to EFE news agency, since Bolsonaro took office in January 2019, the rate of destruction of the Amazon rainforest has increased by about 73% until last year.

In fact, after taking office, President Bolsonaro cut the budget for government-run environmental protection and monitoring programs. He also pushed to open the forest for commercial agriculture and mining.

Furthermore, in April, when actor Leonardo DiCaprio encouraged voting to protect Brazil’s environment, President Bolsonaro sharply retorted, saying, "Our people will decide whether to protect our sovereignty in the Amazon or be ruled by fraudsters serving foreign special interests."

Greenpeace Brazil warned, "In the past three years, Amazon fires and tropical rainforest destruction have accelerated, which is a direct result of the anti-environment policies implemented by the Brazilian government that encourage forest destruction," adding, "If this trend is not reversed, we will face an irreversible situation."

Amid this, there are forecasts that the destruction of the Amazon rainforest will continue for the time being. It is predicted that deforestation may increase ahead of the presidential election to be held in October.

Carlos Souza Junior, a researcher at the Imazon Institute, explained, "During election periods, environmental enforcement generally weakens, so deforestation may be rushed before the new government takes office."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.