Dramatic increases to deforestation and fire hotspots in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest were measured in July, according to data released by the Brazilian National Institute for Space Research (INPE). In July 2024, 666 km² of deforestation was recorded, a 33.2% increase from deforestation measured in July 2023. Also in July 2024, the largest number of fire hotspots for the month was recorded since 2005, the year in which the biome suffered historic fires. Compared to July 2023, the increase in fire hotspots in July 2024 was 98%.
Photos and videos of the fires and smoke are available in the Greenpeace Media Library.
"These findings are a warning for the coming months, since the Amazon is in its dry season and is expected to experience another episode of extreme drought, similar to what happened last year. This is not the time to loosen up efforts: Brazil's federal and state governments must step up actions to prevent fires, to reduce deforestation, and work to increase the severity of punishments for environmental criminals," said Greenpeace Brazil forest campaigner Cristiane Mazzetti.
The increase of deforestation alerts in the Amazon for the month of July was released as part of an analysis by the Brazilian government that showed an overall 45.7% drop for the period from August 2023 to July 2024. The July 2024 data is a reminder that Brazil remains far from achieving its zero deforestation target.
"Despite the good news of a decrease in accumulated deforestation, devastation in the Brazilian Amazon increased again in July. Brazil is far from reaching the zero deforestation target - a target that must be reached well before 2030, since the Amazon is close to its tipping point and the climate emergency is already knocking hard on our doors, with deforestation being the main source of greenhouse gas emissions in the country," said Mazzetti.
Between 29 July and 2 August, Greenpeace Brazil monitoring flights recorded fires in the Brazilian states of Amazonas and Rondônia. Analysis of the images by Greenpeace Brazil identified rural properties financed by Brazil's Rural Credit system that were burning or had recently burned. In April, Greenpeace Brazil launched a report to demand action from the financial sector that identified 12 cases highlighting gaps in Brazil's Rural Credit system, notably the lack of criteria for illegal use of fire.
"These pictures highlight the need of better regulation for the financial system that should raise the bar of its criteria to prevent finance flowing to farmers and companies that are associated with deforestation, illegal burning and therefore worsen both the climate and the biodiversity crises. After all, those who finance forest destroyers are also part of the problem," said Mazzetti.
