Amazon deforestation reduced by nearly 84% – Brazil

Brazil said Wednesday, June 5, it has reduced Amazon deforestation by nearly 84 percent over the past eight years and is nearing its international target for slowing devastation of the world’s largest rainforest. From August 2011 to July 2012, 4,571 square kilometers (1,764 square miles) of Amazon forest were destroyed, 27 percent less than during the previous corresponding period and the lowest rate since Brazil began monitoring, said Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira. It was the fourth consecutive annual reduction.

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