Chunk of Brazil's Amazon Cut Down in 2003 ..the size of Massachusetts

[ElsewheresDaughter]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=589&ncid=721&e=8&u=/ap/20040408/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/brazil_amazon_destruction

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Ranchers, soybean farmers and loggers destroyed a chunk of the Amazon rainforest about the size of Massachusetts last year, the government said Wednesday.


But the government claimed that despite the near-record desforestation, they have kept the destruction from accelerating even faster.


Satellite photos and data showed that 9,169 square miles of rainforest was cut down in the 12 months ending in August, 2003.


That is slightly more than in the same period last year, according to newly revised figures. But the government saw the results as a victory.


"We don't want to be overconfident, but we managed to break the rhythm of growth (in destruction) and this is highly significant," said Environment Minister Marina da Silva, who announced the figures in Brasilia, the nation's capital.


Last year, the government announced that 10,190 square miles of rainforest had vanished in the 2001-2002 period, but on Wednesday they said they had overestimated and the correct figure was 8,980 square miles.

[Barrett808]

1. Nothing to see here - just another environmental scare story - move along

Just toeing the Republican party line, dontcha know.

[fryguy]

2. GOPhers will blame Kerry for this....

after all, he's from Massachusetts and it was the size of Massachusetts -- you do the math, it must be his doing

[Toucano]

3. It's positively shocking.

Seen from space, it's enough to make you cry.



How about Atlanta:

[rawstory]

4. God

Thanks for this story -- i might not have seen it; we highlighted it on Raw Story (http://www.rawstory.com)

[Minstrel Boy]

6. It's like a cancer devouring the lungs of the world.

Thanks for the photos.

[Blue_Tires]

5. damn....

I hope there's still a Brazil left by the time i finally get down there...

[DrDan]

7. How can we fault them

Has anyone done a better job of this than us?