The Amazon rainforest in Brazil lost 19 hectares of vegetation every 60 minutes during the first 15 days of May – an area that is the size of 20 football fields. This data comes from the National Institute of Space Research (INPE), which uses satellites to measure deforestation in the federal conservation areas. These areas are protected by law, which prohibits vegetation removal.

Overall, during the first half of the month, an area of pristine rainforest the size of almost 7000 stadiums (6840 hectares) was destroyed. In May 2018, deforestation was 33% less (4,642 hectares). Between August 2018 and April 2019, illegal deforestation affected 9300 hectares of rainforest – a little over half of what was recorded in the first half of May.

Where is there more deforestation?

Pará state contains eight of the ten conservation areas that have most been affected by deforestation in the Amazon. The Jamanxim National Forest in the southeast of the state is where most of the trees have been cut down. In the first two weeks of May, the site lost over three thousand hectares of vegetation. The rainforest is cut through by BR-163 highway, on which agricultural products and grain are transported on trucks between the North and Midwest regions.

QUESTIONS

1. According to the text, it is correct to state that:

a. In the Amazon rainforest, 20 football stadiums are built every
hour.
b. In the first 15 days of March, an area equivalent to 7000 football
stadiums was deforested.
c. Deforestation is removing vegetation from protected areas.
d. Deforestation is measured by drones.

2. What do you think could be done to reduce deforestation?

*Answer: C

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