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Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon Hits Record Level

Satellite images suggest that deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon hit record levels in the first half of 2022.

The images were recorded between January and June. They show about 4,000 square kilometers of new destruction¹. That is more destruction than has been measured in any six-month period during the seven years Brazil has been keeping such records.

The information confirms that deforestation is continually² happening during the rainy season. Deforestation is historically higher in the second half of the year – when it is drier and people can travel more easily in the Amazon.

Brazil also is set to hold presidential elections³ in October. The process usually causes reductions⁴ in law enforcement⁵ in the Amazon. President Jair Bolsonaro is seeking a second 4-year term. Current public opinion studies show his opponent⁶, former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, ahead in the race.

Brazil's nonprofit Amazon Environmental Research Institute, or IPAM examined the images. It said they show that the area destroyed in the first half of 2022 was 80 percent larger than that destroyed in the first half of 2018.

Bolsonaro took office in 2019.

Around half of the activity happened on public lands, IPAM said. In Brazil, people often illegally seize public land with the expectation that the areas will become legal farmland in the future.

Other illegal property and timber⁷ deals – along with a lack of law enforcement – add to the increasing deforestation rates, said Ane Alencar, IPAM's science director.

"Those who control the Amazon don't want it preserved," Alencar told The Associated Press. "The standing⁸ forest has no value in today's Amazon."

Amazonas state lost the greatest number of trees to the recent cutting, the report said. Deforestation in Para and Mato Grosso states have historically registered⁹ more tree loss. Experts say that development is worrisome because Amazonas is deep in the rainforest and has remained mainly untouched compared to other Amazon areas.

Words in This Story

timber – n. wood that is used for building

preserve – v. to keep something the same or prevent it from being damaged or destroyed

1 destruction   

n.破坏，毁灭，消灭

参考例句：

• The enemy bombs caused widespread destruction.敌人的炸弹造成大面积的破坏。
• Overconfidence was his destruction.自负是他垮台的原因。

2 continually   

adv.不间断地，不停地；多次重复地

参考例句：

• The other kids continually taunted him about his size.其他孩子不断地耻笑他的个头儿。
• The US is continually building up its armed forces.美军正持续加强它的三军。

3 elections   

n.选举，当选，推举( election的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Republicans got shellacked in the elections. 共和党在选举中一败涂地。
• He emerged victorious in the elections. 他在竞选中脱颖而出获得胜利。

4 reductions   

减少( reduction的名词复数 )； 降低； [数学]约简； [摄影术]减薄

参考例句：

• Many companies have announced dramatic reductions in staff. 许多公司已经宣布大幅裁员。
• The forthcoming talks hold out the hope of real arms reductions. 即将举行的会谈给实现真正的裁军带来了希望。

5 enforcement   

n.实施, 执行

参考例句：

• MPs called for tougher enforcement of the existing laws on drugs. 下院议员呼籲加强现行毒品法律的执行力度。
• The court is ineffective because it lacks the necessary enforcement machinery. 法院效率低是因为缺乏必要的执行机制。

6 opponent   

n.对手，敌手，反对者；adj.敌对的，反对的

参考例句：

• The boxer gave his opponent a punch on the nose.这个拳击手朝他对手的鼻子上猛击一拳。
• After a fierce struggle,he got a beat on his opponent.经过殊死的较量，他占了对手的上风。

7 timber   

n.木材，原木，大木料，栋木

参考例句：

• These trees need more time to grow into useful timber.这些树不够年头，还没成材呢。
• The timber is graded according to its thickness.木材按厚度分级。

8 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

9 registered   

adj.登记的，注册的

参考例句：

• Ships were registered abroad to circumvent employment and safety regulation. 船只在外国注册以逃避有关雇佣和安全的规定。
• In former times, only property owners could be registered as voters. 从前，只有有财产的人才能登记作选民。