Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon last month (May) reached the highest level in any May since at least 2007, reports Brazil’s national space research institute INPE. The new data come as the world’s largest rainforest heads into the dry season, when forest clearing typically accelerates and fire risk increases. Preliminary government data released on Friday has raised concern that the coming dry season will see even more deforestation of Brazil’s Amazon than last year's surge of cutting.

The area deforested in May, determined based on satellite images, jumped 41% compared to the same month in 2020, according to daily alerts compiled by the National Institute for Space Research’s Deter monitoring system. That data is considered a reliable leading indicator for more complete calculations released at year-end.

May marks the beginning of the dry season in the Amazon, when deforestation tends to spike. Deforestation in the month reached 1,180 square kilometers (456 square miles), the most for any May in at least five years. April and March figures also topped all prior readings for those respective months since the 2015-2016 start of the data series.

Deforestation associated with mining, which is attracting more attention due to the surging price of gold and associated land invasions by wildcat miners, reached the second-highest monthly level since August 2016.

Mexico to Hold Its Largest mid-term Elections Ever history, the biggest challenge

Russian Prez Vladimir Putin urges global unity in combating Covid

Tackle climate crisis: 100 richest UK families urged to commit £1billion