Deforestation in the Amazon is accelerating despite coronavirus
CNN Digital Expansion 2016 Flora Charner
By Flora Charner, CNN
Updated 4:20 PM ET, Thu May 14, 2020
Wood illegally removed from a reserve in Para, Brazil on February 20, 2020.
(CNN)The coronavirus pandemic has slowed the global economy, but deforestation in the Amazon is speeding up. While most of Brazil's major businesses remain shuttered under lockdowns and quarantine measures, many believe illegal loggers and miners continue to operate in the area with little to no regulation.
Deforestation in the Brazilian rainforest increased by nearly 64% in April this year, compared to the same month last year, shows data from Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE). Last month alone, more than 156 square miles (405.6 square kilometers) of rainforest were destroyed -- a vast swath roughly the size of California.
The first trimester of the 2020 had already seen a more than 50% increase in deforestation compared to last year, according to INPE data.
More than 3,000 soldiers from the Brazilian Armed Forces have been deployed to the Amazon, along with environmental officials, to help curb illegal logging and other criminal activities that could impact the rainforest, according to the Defense Ministry.
More:
https://us.cnn.com/2020/05/14/americas/coronavirus-amazon-brazil-destruction-intl/index.html
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