Amazon deforestation rate at its lowest The Amazon rainforest
experienced its lowest deforestation rate on record, which is a
significant step in the preservation of the largest rainforest
in the world. The Brazilian government reported that
deforestation decreased to about 2,509 square miles (6,500 sq
km) for 12 months until July 2010, 14 percent lower from the
previous timeframe. This is the lowest deforestation rate since
the series began in the year 1988. The highest rate was 11,235
square miles (29,100 sq km), which the Amazon suffered in the
mid-1990s. The numbers coincide with a global climate conference
of the United Nations in Mexico, where Brazil will showcase that
it is one of the few major countries that are taking huge steps
in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions – which, for Brazil,
originates mostly from burning or rotting trees. “We will honor
the pledge we made and we don’t need any favors. We do it
because it’s our obligation,” said Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva,
President of Brazil. Additiona