Amazon deforestation hits 40-year low ahead of Brazil runoff

· Climate · Brazil

Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon has reached its lowest level in 40 years, giving President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva a boost to his environmental record just over a week before the second round of the presidential election, in which he faces Flavio Bolsonaro. Deforestation had expanded under former president Jair Bolsonaro. Separately, Flavio Bolsonaro said that if elected he would seek to curb Brazil's rising public debt without touching politically sensitive social spending, rejecting media reports that his campaign was considering such measures.

Why it matters：The Amazon's recovery is central to global climate goals, and Brazil's election outcome will determine whether that trend continues.

Key points

  • Deforestation reached a 40-year low, per France 24 and the BBC.
  • The figure lands just over a week before the presidential runoff.
  • Flavio Bolsonaro pledged fiscal adjustment without cutting social spending.

Sources (original reporting)

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