This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/519700-rainforest-destroyed-2020-covid-lockdowns/

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Netherlands-sized rainforest land destroyed in 2020 despite Covid-19 lockdowns – report Netherlands-sized rainforest land destroyed in 2020 despite Covid-19 lockdowns – report
(about 2 months later)
The world experienced a “climate emergency” in 2020, as deforestation increased 12% on the previous year, despite the global slowdown caused by the Covid pandemic, according to a newly released report by Global Forest Watch (GFW).The world experienced a “climate emergency” in 2020, as deforestation increased 12% on the previous year, despite the global slowdown caused by the Covid pandemic, according to a newly released report by Global Forest Watch (GFW).
The research, gathered using satellite data, showed that throughout 2020, huge fires caused by the effects of climate change and continued deforestation, destroyed 4.2 million hectares of primary forest.The research, gathered using satellite data, showed that throughout 2020, huge fires caused by the effects of climate change and continued deforestation, destroyed 4.2 million hectares of primary forest.
Brazil was the worst impacted area, losing 1.7 million hectares of primary forest alone, three times greater than the next highest nation, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which saw 490,000 hectares wiped out. Brazil was the worst impacted area, losing 1.7 million hectares of primary forest alone, three times greater than the next highest nation, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which saw 490,000 hectares wiped out. 
Frances Seymour, from the World Resources Institute (WRI), which runs the GFW, declared that the level of deforestation is a “climate emergency,” stating that the findings are “a biodiversity crisis, a humanitarian disaster, and a loss of economic opportunity.”Frances Seymour, from the World Resources Institute (WRI), which runs the GFW, declared that the level of deforestation is a “climate emergency,” stating that the findings are “a biodiversity crisis, a humanitarian disaster, and a loss of economic opportunity.”
Nature has been whispering this risk to us for a long time. But now she is shouting.Nature has been whispering this risk to us for a long time. But now she is shouting.
While the Covid pandemic did have some impact, the report outlines how it failed to significantly reduce the destruction of forest landscapes and the natural world. While the Covid pandemic did have some impact, the report outlines how it failed to significantly reduce the destruction of forest landscapes and the natural world. 
Researchers fear that attempts to boost economic growth post-pandemic, as nations seek to recover financial losses, could see deforestation accelerate even further, suggesting the 2020 report is sending an “ominous signal” about what is to come.Researchers fear that attempts to boost economic growth post-pandemic, as nations seek to recover financial losses, could see deforestation accelerate even further, suggesting the 2020 report is sending an “ominous signal” about what is to come.
GFW monitors forest cover using web applications, satellite technology and user-gathered information, to provide real-time information on and insights into the impact of the changing environments. GFW monitors forest cover using web applications, satellite technology and user-gathered information, to provide real-time information on and insights into the impact of the changing environments. 
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
Dear readers and commenters,
We have implemented a new engine for our comment section. We hope the transition goes smoothly for all of you. Unfortunately, the comments made before the change have been lost due to a technical problem. We are working on restoring them, and hoping to see you fill up the comment section with new ones. You should still be able to log in to comment using your social-media profiles, but if you signed up under an RT profile before, you are invited to create a new profile with the new commenting system.
Sorry for the inconvenience, and looking forward to your future comments,
RT Team.