Amazon rain forest destruction data revised by Brazil

BRASILIA, Brazil — The amount of Amazon rain forest destroyed last year was still the lowest since tracking began two decades ago, even though it has been revised upward by the Brazilian government.

BRASILIA, Brazil — The amount of Amazon rain forest destroyed last year was still the lowest since tracking began two decades ago, even though it has been revised upward by the Brazilian government.

The Associated Press reports that the Environment Ministry now says 2,703 square miles (7,000 square kilometers) were destroyed between August 2009 and July 2010. That’s the period the government uses to find annual deforestation figures.

Earlier, the government had said 2,490 square miles (6,450 square kilometers) were destroyed.

According to AP, officials measure the destruction using satellite images and revisions normally take place.

The Amazon rain forest absorbs carbon dioxide and is arguably one of nature’s best defenses against global warming. About 20 percent of Brazil’s Amazon has already been destroyed.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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