The Brazilian government has released new figures indicating that almost one-fifth of the Amazon rainforest has been chopped down. In the 12 months to August 2004, 26,000 square kilometres of forest were cut down, 6% more than in the previous year. Environmentalists are concerned that the Amazon will turn into a polluter of greenhouse gases such carbon dioxide, as the forest shrinks and its absorbing properties are reduced and increasing numbers of felled trees are burned.
From Â鶹´«Ã½ Weekly, May 25, 2005.
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