MANY MINDEDAmazon deforestation hits record low for 12 months ending July 2026
Brazil's national space research institute INPE reported deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon fell 42% to a record low for the 12 months ended July 31, 2026. The area covered 3,335 square kilometers (1,288 square miles) — smaller than Spain's island of Mallorca. Deforestation in the Cerrado biome also dropped 24% to a record low of 5,516 square kilometers. INPE's PRODES data spans 1988 to 2026, but Brazil's share of the Amazon rainforest (just over 60%) is a general fact without specified timeframe. Scientists note current deforestation levels at approximately 15% of the biome could disrupt regional rainfall if it reaches 20-25%. The reduction accelerated after President Lula's 2023 inauguration, though seven of nine Amazon states have governors aligned with the presidential frontrunner Flávio Bolsonaro.
This decline directly strengthens climate stability and water resources critical for global food security. Reduced deforestation preserves the Amazon's role in regulating regional rainfall and evapotranspiration, which supports agricultural systems across the hemisphere. The current trend offers a pathway to maintain these systems without escalating drought risks.
However, a brewing super El Niño event in the Pacific poses drought threats to southern Amazon regions. The source notes this event's status as current at reporting time. While deforestation has fallen significantly, the risk of climate disruption remains active. The next critical period will assess whether the Amazon's resilience can withstand both the El Niño event and potential policy shifts in Brazil.
Source: Mongabay