The Current Scenario of Deforestation in the Amazon
The Amazon is experiencing a paradox. While deforestation is decreasing in Brazil, reaching the lowest level in the historical series over the last 12 months, in Bolivia, forest destruction has reached historical levels. This contrast is the result of different environmental and economic policies adopted by the two countries.
What Happened
On the Brazilian side, the resumption of environmental enforcement under President Lula's administration resulted in a decrease in deforestation. In Bolivia, the lack of monitoring and control policies, combined with the advancement of agricultural activities, drove forest destruction. According to MapBiomas, the deforestation rate in Bolivia skyrocketed by more than 256% since the beginning of the century, while in Brazil it fell by 59.2% compared to the levels of 1987 and 1989.
Why It Matters
The Amazon is one of the planet's main lungs, and forest destruction has significant impacts on the global climate. The loss of tropical forest in Bolivia is the second largest in the world in 2025, according to Bloomberg. This affects not only local biodiversity but also the forest's ability to absorb carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming.
The Mechanism Behind Deforestation
The difference in deforestation between Brazil and Bolivia can be explained by the environmental policies adopted. In Brazil, the Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Amazon (PPCDAm), developed during Lula's first term as President, made a historical decrease in the deforestation rate possible. In Bolivia, the lack of satellite monitoring systems and strict enforcement allowed deforestation to advance.
Broader Context
Deforestation in the Amazon is a complex problem, influenced by economic, political, and social factors. The pressure of the agricultural frontier on forest areas is one of the main reasons for deforestation. The expansion of soybeans and other agricultural commodities in Bolivia, for example, is driving forest destruction. The extinction of the Bolivian Ministry of Planning left the management of policies to combat deforestation and forest fires in the country orphaned.
What's Next
The future of deforestation in the Amazon is uncertain. In Brazil, the resumption of environmental enforcement may continue to reduce deforestation. In Bolivia, the lack of control policies and the pressure of the agricultural frontier may continue to drive forest destruction. The actions of economic groups, such as the Maggi Scheffer family, which owns properties on both sides of the border, may influence the environmental and economic policies of both countries.
Consequences and Perspectives
The explosion of deforestation in the Bolivian Amazon shares some important characters with the destruction on the Brazilian side. The Maggi Scheffer family, owner of the Bom Futuro Group in Brazil, also owns properties on the Bolivian side of the border. This signals that forest destruction may be a cross-border problem, requiring joint actions from both countries to be combated.
Source / Reference
Original URL: https://climainfo.org.br/2026/08/13/enquanto-cai-no-brasil-desmatamento-amazonico-explode-na-bolivia/
Source Name: ClimaInfo