Posted on November, 30 2006

Brasília, Brazil – Flying over the Amazon in a hot-air balloon is helping raise awareness about the effects of deforestation in Brazil and beyond.

On November 28 and 30, a WWF balloon flew over a part of the Amazon where the Negro River merges with the Solimões Rivers. From Solimões the river becomes the Amazon River.

According to the global conservation organization, if current deforestation rates are maintained, Brazil could lose 170,000km² of Amazon forest, while at the same time see 1.53 billion tons of carbon emitted into the atmosphere.

“Such a loss will no doubt contribute to climate change and the decline of biological diversity,” stressed WWF-Brazil CEO Denise Hamú.

It would also have an adverse affect on the Amazon’s watershed and river systems, which represents 8 per cent of the world’s freshwater resources.

Although the deforestation rates have been reduced significantly by around 54 pre cent in the last couple of years, the destruction of the Amazon’s forests are still at a high level, with 13,000km² cut down in the last year.

“The creation of more protected areas and corridors is the way forward,” added Hamu. “We also need to promote a sustainable forest economy and support effective community forest and water resource management.”

For further information:
W. Gadelha Neto, Communications Officer
WWF-Brazil
Tel: +55 61 3364 7400
E-mail: gadelhaneto@wwf.org.br