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Brazil: Amazon deforestation lowest in nearly 40 years

The BBC reports the record fall comes as a key Brazilian election looms, after clearing had expanded under former president Jair Bolsonaro; the trees are not voting.

On air: Gloria Vance and Hank Ledger on Weekend Edition
Published 6:06 AM ET, Saturday, October 17, 2026

Photo: Amazon rainforest — Photo: CIAT · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 2.0

At a glance

First reported by DW.com: “Brazil: Amazon deforestation lowest in nearly 40 years”, with reporting from BBC.
Covered on BBN on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 6:06 AM ET on Weekend Edition, by Gloria Vance and Hank Ledger.
Topics: Brazil, Amazon.
BBN covered this story before: Zacharia exit now under five days; Meta-Lula report and Busan shark (October 17).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

What BBN said about it

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIn Brazil this morning, the Amazon is losing forest more slowly than at any point in nearly forty years, and the BBC calls it a record fall.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo the forest is losing less forest. That sounds like good news.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIt is, and it comes with a key election approaching.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorDeforestation had expanded under former president Jair Bolsonaro, and the Amazon is a crucial buffer against climate change.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA record, right before voting. Lucky timing.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorPoliticians do love a good number in an election season, particularly when the number involves somebody else's trees.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo whoever wins will say they planted it.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorEvery candidate will claim the credit, and the forest will go on growing without a single endorsement.