Bolsonaro and Lula Clash on Amazon Deforestation in Brazil's Presidential Election

Brazil's presidential election in October could reshape the future of the Amazon rainforest, which contains about 60% of the world's largest ecosystem. The two front-runners are Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who represent different visions for managing the Amazon.

Lula has restored policies to control deforestation, which surged by 60% during Jair Bolsonaro's presidency from 2019 to 2022. Under Lula, deforestation has fallen 45%, reaching its lowest level in over a decade.

Flávio Bolsonaro has pledged to end illegal deforestation by 2029, while Lula aims for zero net deforestation by 2030. Deforestation and land-use changes are Brazil's largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, driving global warming.