Amazon rainforest destruction surges

05/02/2008

Recent satellite images from Brazil's National Institute of Space Research show that the monthly rate of deforestation in the Amazon saw an unprecedented increase over the last few months; from 94 sq miles in August to 366 sq miles in December.

Only six months ago the Brazilian Government was trumpeting figures showing a slow down in destruction. The acceleration in forest destruction is being driven by a combination of factors, from biofuel production, to logging and cattle ranching.

20 per cent of the Amazon rainforest has already been lost over the last 40 years and more than half will be lost by 2030 at the current rate.

Read the full story in The Times Online.

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