the leaders of eight south american countries that share the amazon, have gathered in the city of belem. the summit s host brazilian president lula da silva has urged leaders to agree on common policies to protect the environment and boost sustainable development. scientists are concerned that, deforestation in the amazon may be approaching an irreversible tipping point. president lula is hoping for a co ordinated regional approach, to tackle illegal mining and logging as well as other environmental crimes. he s promised to end deforestation in brazil by 2030. our south america correspondent katy watson reports from para, the most deforested state in brazil. virgin forest still exists here in the amazon, but every day the illegal loggers get closer. from up high you can see the damage done, the large patches of land totally cleared. this part of brazil has the highest rate of deforestation in the country.
three hours of breaking stories, and checking out the truth behind them. we start in brazil and a landmark summit to protect the amazon rainforest. the leaders of eight south american countries that share the amazon, have gathered in the city of belem. scientists are concerned that, deforestation in the amazon may be approaching an irreversible tipping point. brazil s president lula da silva is hoping for a co ordinated regional approach, to tackle illegal mining and logging as well as other environmental crimes. our reporter azadeh moshiri looks at what s at stake in the summit. the amazon is, of course, beautiful, but it s also hugely important in the fight against climate change. and that s because it stores so much carbon dioxide, which drives the climate crisis we re currently facing. and yet the forest is under threat of deforestation. now, 60% of it is located in brazil,
in any sort of elections for five years and that will bring you more in my correspondent later in the programme. we turn to brazil and a landmark summit to protect the amazon rainforest. the leaders of eight south american countries that share the amazon, have gathered in the city of belem. scientists are concerned that, deforestation in the amazon may be approaching an irreversible tipping point. the summit s host brazil s president lula da silva is hoping for a co ordinated regional approach, to tackle illegal mining and logging as well as other environmental crimes. our reporter azadeh moshiri looks at what s at stake: the amazon is, of course, beautiful, but it s also hugely important in the fight against climate change. and that s because it stores so much carbon dioxide, which drives the climate crisis we re currently facing. and yet the forest is under threat of deforestation. now, 60% of it is located in brazil, which is why the country is taking
from deforestation, climate change and environmental crime. 60% of the amazon is located in brazil where the summit is taking place, but the rainforest crosses eight countries. the brazilian president, lula da silva called the meeting, and says he s committed to zero deforestation by 2030. since coming to power injanuary, he s transformed the amazon s fortunes. under the former leader, jair bolsonaro, 1500 sq km of rainforest had been cut down in the year to august 2022. that figure s dropped by 66% so far this year, with 500 sq km of land deforested the lowest rate in six years. the meeting of south american leaders is taking place in the city of belem, in brazil s most deforested state, para, from where katie watson reports. virgin forest still exists here in the amazon, but every day the illegal loggers get closer.
lula da silva is hoping for a co ordinated regional approach, to tackle illegal mining and logging as well as other environmental crimes. scientists say the amazon rainforest is a crucial buffer against climate change and 60% of it is located in brazil. it acts as a major carbon sink absorbing carbon dioxide emissions. president lula has already promised to end deforestation by 2030. rainforest destruction had surged under his predecessor, jair bolsonaro. and it appears some progress is already being made. injuly of this year, 500 square kilometres of rainforest was cleared in brazil 66% less than injuly of last year. the rainforest is home to 50 million people, including hundreds of indigenous groups, who depend on its unique the meeting is taking place in the city of belem, in brazil s most deforested state para. from there, our south america correspondent katie watson sent this report. virgin forest still exists here in the amazon, but every day the illegal loggers get c