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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Jonathan Watts

Seven reasons to be cheerful about the Amazon in 2023 – and three to be terrified

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Jair Bolsonaro Amazon Marina Silva Brazil Deforestation AFPGetty Images Environment Mauro Pimentel
Aerial view of the Amazon rainforest
Bolsonaro’s ministers trashed the government agencies responsible for protecting the forest, nature reserves and indigenous territories. Photograph: Mauro Pimentel/AFP/Getty Images

For anyone who cares about the Amazon rainforest, there will be an extra reason to celebrate the new year countdown in Brazil on 31 December because the first stroke of midnight will mark the last moment in power of Jair Bolsonaro.

The defeat of the ultra-right former army captain, who unleashed a wave of forest burning and river poisoning during his four years in office, was arguably the world’s best environmental news of 2022. As he is replaced by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, here are seven reasons to be cheerful about the Amazon in 2023, and three reminders of why that’s no excuse for anyone to drop their guard.

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