Brazil and Colombia see “remarkable” decrease in forest destruction after leadership changes, data show

Forest Destruction in Brazil and Colombia Shows Significant Decline

According to data from the University of Maryland’s GLAD Lab shared on the World Resources Institute’s Global Forest Watch, forest destruction in Brazil and Colombia fell “steeply” between 2022 and 2023. Primary forest loss decreased by 36% in Brazil and 49% in Colombia, which the WRI described as a “remarkable” drop.

However, despite these reductions, the rate of tropical primary forest loss in 2023 remained consistent due to spikes in tree cutting in Bolivia, Laos, and Nicaragua. On average, an area of forest about the size of 10 football fields is being destroyed globally every minute.

The Impact of Political Will

The changes in forest loss in Brazil and Colombia highlight the difference political will can make. In Brazil, the reduction in forest loss began with the transition from former President Jair Bolsonaro, who eroded environmental protections, to returning President Inácio Lula da Silva, who has pledged to end deforestation.

In Colombia, the shift in forest loss also came alongside a change in leadership, with President Gustavo Petro Urrego focusing on rural and environmental reform.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by leaders of 145 countries aim to halt and reverse forest loss by 2030. While the declines in forest loss in Brazil and Colombia show promise towards that commitment, it is clear that the world is falling far short of its targets.

The Potential for Forest Regrowth

A study published in the journal Science several years ago offered hope that even forests cut or burned down could regrow almost completely in just a couple of decades if left alone by humans. The study looked at 77 different forest sites across the tropics that were abandoned after deforestation and found that, on average, the forests regained 78% of their original growth after 20 years.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 15: Life on Land

The article discusses the issue of forest destruction in Brazil and Colombia, which is directly related to SDG 15, which aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.

The reduction in forest loss in Brazil and Colombia indicates progress towards Target 15.2, which aims to halt deforestation and restore degraded forests.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 15.2.1: Progress towards sustainable forest management
• Indicator 15.2.2: Area of forest under sustainable forest management
• Indicator 15.2.3: Carbon stock in forest biomass

The article does not explicitly mention these indicators, but the reduction in forest loss in Brazil and Colombia can be used as an indication of progress towards sustainable forest management and the increase in forest area.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: cbsnews.com

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