is in the amazon at the summit and sent this report. virgin forest still exists here in the amazon, but every day the illegal loggers get closer. from up high, you can see the damage done, the large patches of land totally cleared. this part of brazil has the highest rate of deforestation in the country. underjair bolsonaro, illegal logging soared. president lula da silva has promised to fix the problem. translation: the challenges. of our era and the opportunities that arise demand joint action. we need to reconcile environmental protection and social inclusion, encourage science, technology and innovation, encourage the local economy, fight international crime, and value the indigenous people and traditional communities and their ancestral knowledge. for those living under the rainforest s canopy, it s been a difficult few years. translation: you have no idea how much pressure - there was in our community under the bolsonaro government. landowners, circling
the leaders of eight south american countries that share the amazon, have gathered in the city of belem. the summit s host brazilian president lula da silva has urged leaders to agree on common policies to protect the environment and boost sustainable development. scientists are concerned that, deforestation in the amazon may be approaching an irreversible tipping point. president lula is hoping for a co ordinated regional approach, to tackle illegal mining and logging as well as other environmental crimes. he s promised to end deforestation in brazil by 2030. our south america correspondent katy watson reports from para, the most deforested state in brazil. virgin forest still exists here in the amazon, but every day the illegal loggers get closer. from up high you can see the damage done, the large patches of land totally cleared. this part of brazil has the highest rate of deforestation in the country.
from deforestation, climate change and environmental crime. 60% of the amazon is located in brazil where the summit is taking place, but the rainforest crosses eight countries. the brazilian president, lula da silva called the meeting, and says he s committed to zero deforestation by 2030. since coming to power injanuary, he s transformed the amazon s fortunes. under the former leader, jair bolsonaro, 1500 sq km of rainforest had been cut down in the year to august 2022. that figure s dropped by 66% so far this year, with 500 sq km of land deforested the lowest rate in six years. the meeting of south american leaders is taking place in the city of belem, in brazil s most deforested state, para, from where katie watson reports. virgin forest still exists here in the amazon, but every day the illegal loggers get closer.
lula da silva is hoping for a co ordinated regional approach, to tackle illegal mining and logging as well as other environmental crimes. scientists say the amazon rainforest is a crucial buffer against climate change and 60% of it is located in brazil. it acts as a major carbon sink absorbing carbon dioxide emissions. president lula has already promised to end deforestation by 2030. rainforest destruction had surged under his predecessor, jair bolsonaro. and it appears some progress is already being made. injuly of this year, 500 square kilometres of rainforest was cleared in brazil 66% less than injuly of last year. the rainforest is home to 50 million people, including hundreds of indigenous groups, who depend on its unique the meeting is taking place in the city of belem, in brazil s most deforested state para. from there, our south america correspondent katie watson sent this report. virgin forest still exists here in the amazon, but every day the illegal loggers get c
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