Brazil, a country with a staggering area of over 850 million hectares, has been facing a persistent challenge with tree cover loss over the years. The latest incident on November 5, 2024, in the State of Paraíba, adds to the growing concerns over the country's environmental health. Despite a tree cover extent of approximately 519 million hectares, Brazil has experienced a significant net loss in tree cover. Since 2001, the country has seen a net decrease of nearly 28 million hectares, which equates to a 5.93% reduction in tree cover.
The primary drivers of this deforestation have been shifting agriculture, responsible for a substantial portion of tree cover loss, and forestry activities. Together, these factors have not only reduced the green expanse but have also contributed to gross emissions of CO2. Urbanization and wildfires, although contributing less to the overall loss, remain concerns that exacerbate the situation.
Explore country profileThe data indicates a worrying trend, with the highest annual tree cover loss reaching over 5.30 million hectares in 2016. While there have been fluctuations over the years, the general trajectory points towards an ongoing struggle to maintain and protect Brazil's vital tree cover. The incident in Paraíba is a stark reminder of the continuous vigilance needed to combat environmental degradation in Brazil.
