Drought brings Amazon tributary to lowest level in a century

One of the most important tributaries of the Amazon river has fallen to its lowest level in over a century, following a fierce drought that has isolated tens of thousands of rainforest inhabitants and raised concerns about the possible impact of climate change on the region.

Photo courtesy of Raimundo Valentim/EPA/CORBIS

"I do not damage the forest for a movie," says Cameron

James Cameron explains why you do not want to shoot in the Amazon rainforest.

Please note: This article is in Portuguese.

Photo courtesy of Kathy Willens/AP

The majestic rivers of Amazonia

The Juruena River is one of Brazil's most stunning water courses, once running through pristine landscapes and gracing satellite images with its blue water. Now, agriculture has moved heavily into the area, the rains wash mud into its erstwhile clear waters and numerous small dams are being built along it. A sad demise. The photo shows the upper reaches of the river, on the Parecis plateau.

Photo courtesy of Margi Moss/O Eco Amazonia

Imazon records deforestation of 79 square kilometers in December and January

Imazon warns that deforestation data in this period may be underestimated, since in December 2009 and January 2010 there was a lot of cloud cover, hiding approximately 50% of the Amazon. The regions most affected by cloud cover were Amapá, Amazonas and Pará. In addition, part of Maranhão that make up the Amazon was not analyzed.

Please note: This article is in Portuguese.

Photo courtesy of Stacy/Google Picasa

Companies fund projects to preserve Amazon rain forest

Around the world, dozens of REDD projects, sponsored by environmental groups and funded by firms including Merrill Lynch & Co., Walt Disney Co., American Electric Power Co., BP and United Parcel Service Inc., are underway.

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Company

Saving the Amazon may be the most cost-effective way to cut greenhouse gas emissions

Beginning in the 1960s, politicians in Brazil pushed to populate the rain forest and to clear tracts for cattle, soybeans and timber. Across the Amazon, homesteaders were promised title to their plots if they cut down trees to make the land "productive."

Photo courtesy of Charles Thomas/Flickr

Deforestation in Amazon rainforest up 21% in November

The study by the Amazon Institute of People and the Environment (Imazon), a non-government organization, said the greatest deforestation was registered in the northern state of Para, which lost 51 square km of forests in November, 69 percent of the total newly deforested area.

[Photograph by: Alberto Cesar/Greenpeace]

Imazon detects 75 km ² of deforestation in the Amazon in November

The number of 75 km ² is 21% higher than in November 2008, when deforestation was 61 km ².

Please note: This article is in Portuguese.

[Photograph by: Leonardo Freitas]

Brazil's river of death

The once free-flowing Manaquiri River, which runs through the state of Amazonas in northwest Brazil, is in the fight of its life against a spell of dry weather - and it appears to be losing the battle.

[Photograph by: Bruno Kelly/REUTERS/Amazonaspress]

Brazil working to reclaim Amazon rainforest

``We must add economic value to the forest,'' said Amazonas state Gov. Eduardo Braga, whose eco-subsidies, environmental endowment and plans to sell carbon credits to California have made the area around Manaus a public lab for sustainable forestry.

[Photograph by: Roosewelt Pinheiro/ABr]

Brazil pioneers reforestation plan - 7 Dec 09

Brazil unveils first foreign-funded Amazon projects

The Amazonas state government will receive 20 million reais for a fund that pays rubber tappers and other forest dwellers a stipend to help protect and regenerate the forest.

[Photograph by: iStockphoto]

Brazil tries to preserve the Amazon through financial incentives

Amazonas state is the largest and best preserved of the several states that made up what is referred to as "the Amazon." But scientific models show that if nothing is done, it too will suffer the fate of its neighboring states in coming decades.

[Photograph by: JorgeBrazil]

Imazon detects deforestation of 194 km ² in the Amazon in October

The state with the most devastation in October was Pará (45%), followed by Mato Grosso (22%) and Rondônia (13%). Together, the three represent 80% of total cleared forest. Then come Amazonas (9%), Roraima (6%), Amapá (3%) and Acre (2%).

Please note: This article is in Portuguese.

[Map by: Volunteer Brazil]