Positive news from the Amazon rainforest - deforestation is on the decline

The data from the Brazilian space research agency INPE (Portuguese: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais) from November 2023 show that deforestation in the Amazon rainforest is on the decline. The satellite images from the Real-Time Deforestation Detection System (DETER) showed that 201.1 square kilometers of rainforest had been destroyed. This is 64 percent less than in November of the previous year, when 554.66 square kilometers were deforested. At the same time, it is also the smallest area cleared this month since the DETER system began keeping records in 2015. In total, the areas cleared in 2023 have fallen significantly compared to 2022: Last year, 10,134.78 square kilometers of the Amazon rainforest were destroyed, this year it is just under half that at 4,993.81 square kilometers.

All efforts to protect this valuable ecosystem are important because the Amazon rainforest plays a crucial role in the development of climate change and the preservation of millions of species of fauna and flora locally. It is also home to many indigenous peoples who make a major contribution to preserving our "green lung". Our strategy for protecting the Amazon rainforest is to support indigenous peoples in their local lives - they are the guardians of the forest. Because 80 percent of the intact rainforest in the Amazon basin is in the hands of indigenous peoples. As long as they live there, the rainforest belongs to them and is protected by law from intruders We at TARGET support the Waiãpi people, the Munduruku and the Huni Kuin in preserving their way of life and their home, the Amazon rainforest.

With TARGET e. V., we are building hospitals on site so that the indigenous people can live well in the area. We also support the Waiãpi's border protection. The program, which was set up and implemented by the Waiãpi, enables illegal activities in indigenous territories to be detected and subsequently prosecuted.

Further information on our projects with and for indigenous peoples can be found here. By the way, you can support our projects for indigenous peoples with a targeted gift donation. Perhaps an idea for a Christmas present for someone who cares about the Amazon rainforest.