"The Earth's Lungs" Are Disappearing... Amazon Rainforest Destroyed by 1.5 Times the Area of Seoul

The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Getty Images Bank]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] The destruction of the Amazon rainforest, known as the "lungs of the Earth," is increasing at a record level.

According to the Brazilian National Institute for Space Research (INPE) on the 8th (local time), the area of Amazon rainforest destruction in the first quarter of this year was 941.3㎢, a 54% increase compared to the first quarter of last year (573.3㎢). This is the largest scale ever recorded for the first quarter, exceeding 1.5 times the area of Seoul.

Generally, heavy rainfall in the first quarter is known to reduce rainforest destruction. However, INPE explained that this year recorded the largest scale ever.

INPE pointed out that this trend runs counter to the Brazilian government's promise to curb carbon dioxide emissions.

Environmental groups and experts argue that unauthorized logging and illegal burning for the expansion of farmland or pasture, as well as illegal gold mining activities, continue, and that the Brazilian government’s failure to properly punish these environmental crimes is fueling the destruction of the rainforest.

The destruction of the Amazon rainforest, known as the "lungs of the Earth," is increasing to record levels.
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, there have been consistent concerns that the destruction of the Amazon rainforest has accelerated since the government of President Jair Bolsonaro took office in Brazil in 2019.

Earlier this year, the Brazilian Ministry of Environment announced that it is cooperating with the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Defense, police, and environmental groups to crack down strongly on environmental crimes, but controversies over its effectiveness continue.