- Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon increased in July 2024, marking the first month-over-month rise since March 2023, with 666 square kilometers of forest destroyed.
- Despite the recent increase, deforestation is still 46% lower this year compared to last year on a 12-month rolling basis, though severe drought and wildfires have worsened conditions.
- Cerrado deforestation has declined for four consecutive months but remains near a five-year high.
- The Brazilian government is expected to release a preliminary official deforestation figure for the year ending July 31, 2024, later this year, timed to coincide with minimal cloud cover for accurate year-over-year comparisons.
Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon increased on a month-over-month basis for the first time since March 2023, according to data released today by Brazil’s National Space Research Institute (INPE).
INPE’s deforestation alert system detected 666 square kilometers of forest destruction in July 2024, a 33% rise compared to a year earlier. This increase was also corroborated by Imazon, an independent organization that tracks deforestation across the Amazon.
Despite this uptick, deforestation remains 46% lower this year compared to last year on a 12-month rolling basis and is near a six-year low. However, the region is grappling with a severe drought that has affected large areas of the Amazon rainforest. The dry conditions have led to a sharp increase in wildfires, particularly in the Brazilian state of Roraima. Burn scars detected by INPE are currently at their highest level since August 2018.
In contrast, deforestation in the Cerrado has declined for the fourth consecutive month. Nevertheless, forest clearing in the Cerrado remains close to a five-year high, according to INPE’s alert system.
The Brazilian government is expected to release a preliminary official deforestation figure for the year ending July 31 toward the end of 2024. Brazil tracks deforestation on this timeline because cloud cover is typically minimal around July, making it easier to compare year-over-year figures.
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