Deforestation alerts in Brazil’s Amazon rise for 2nd month

By MARCELO SILVA DE SOUSA
Associated Press

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The number of deforestation alerts in the Brazilian Amazon has risen for a second straight month compared to last year, ending a streak of encouraging data at a moment when the government has promised to curb illegal logging. The government’s space agency said Friday alerts in October corresponded to 877 square kilometers, the highest indicator for the month in five years and 4.9% more than for the same month in 2020. September registered 2.3% more alerts than the same month last year. The increases follow two months of sharp decreases that had prompted enthusiasm from officials in the government of President Jair Bolsonaro.