Brazilian Amazon Deforestation Up 1000% YOY In December 2010 - Whether Uptick Or Trend Unknown

[hatrack]

Over the last several years, the rate of forest loss in the Brazilian Amazon had been in steady decline, but the latest data is yet again proving that the problem is far from over. According to figures released today, deforestation in the world's largest rainforest has increased nearly 1,000 percent from the same period the year before, marking the first rise in over two years -- though only time will tell if it is merely a disappointing uptick, or a troubling reverse of trends.

A newly disclosed report from the Amazon Institute of People and the Environment (IMAZON) reveals that 175 square kilometers (68 mi²) of forest were cleared this past December, compared with just 16 km² (6 mi²) reported last year for December 2009, a rise of 994 percent.

In addition to deforestation, areas of Amazon degradation have also increased at an alarming rate. IMAZON notes that 541 km² (209 mi²) were degraded in December 2010. Throughout that month in 2009, only 11 km² (4 mi²) were impacted -- representing an astonishing increase of 4,818 percent.

Unfortunately, while last year ended poorly for the Amazon rainforest, the trend seems to be carrying into the new year. Just last month, 83 km² (32 mi²) of forest were cleared and 376 km² (145 mi²) degraded -- representing increases over last year's rates of 22 and 637 percent, respectively.

EDIT

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/02/amazon-deforestation-up-1000-percent-from-last-year.php?campaign=th_rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed\%3A+treehuggersite+\%28Treehugger\%

[Gregorian]

1. It's all driven by one tiny action at a time. "Just me".

I just want a piece of wood. I'm just driving to the store. I want to fly to Hawaii. It all connects. A dashboard for a car that has wood inlay. A pallet that the detergent comes to the store on.

Multiplicity combined with irresponsibility. I never knew how irresponsible adults were until recently. I grew up in one of the few towns that had it. I didn't know it was rare.

And so the planet is infested, and will suffer. Hopefully beings will be able to inhabit this sad planet.