Tropical forest news is coming fast lately, and we've got a top expert to discuss it with, beginning with the deforestation rate of the Brazilian Amazon in 2022 which is on pace to match the dismal heights of 2021; however, the upcoming Brazilian presidential election between incumbent Jair Bolsonaro and former president Luis Inacío Lula da Silva (Lula) could change forest conservation prospects.

Mongabay's CEO and sought after tropical forest news commentator, Rhett Butler, joins the Mongabay Newscast to share his analysis of how former president Lula could (once again) significantly decrease deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, like he's done in the past.

Rhett also shares his insight into a historic legislative move by the European Parliament to block 14 commodities linked to deforestation from entering the EU. The bill places the onus on the buyer to prove any 'dirty commodities' entering the EU are not linked to deforestation, whether legal or illegal. Rhett also discusses the renewed REDD+ agreement between Indonesia and Norway, which was canceled in 2021 when Norway failed to issue payment. 

Related reading from Mongabay: 

• Brazil faces two contrasting legacies for the Amazon in October’s elections

• Amazon deforestation on pace to roughly match last year’s rate of loss
• Amazon deforestation in Brazil booms in August

To hear our early 2022 conversation with Rhett, listen to Mongabay Newscast episode 136 here:

Podcast: The 411 on forests and reforestation for 2022

Episode artwork: Amazon rainforest canopy in Brazil. Image by Rhett Butler.

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