# Brazil's Election Could Decide the Fate of the Amazon Rainforest The presidential race may determine whether deforestation surges or declines in the critical ecosystem. - **Source:** [New Scientist](https://www.newscientist.com/) - **Published:** 2026-09-23 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/05b9fd83-a7ff-4897-9d19-7794eafe19f9 ## Election's high stakes Brazil's October 2024 presidential election features Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, running against incumbent Lula. Experts warn a Bolsonaro victory could reverse recent environmental gains, as deforestation rates halved under Lula after reaching a 15-year high in 2021. The Amazon's 4.2 million square kilometers regulate global climate and store vast carbon stocks. ## Deforestation legacy Under Jair Bolsonaro's presidency (2019-2023), annual Amazon deforestation surged from 7,536 km² in 2018 to 11,594 km² in 2022. His administration weakened environmental agencies and encouraged land-grabbing through pro-development policies. Current deforestation stands at 5,731 km² (August 2024-July 2025) after Lula restored enforcement capacity. ## Candidate contrasts Flávio Bolsonaro has called climate change ## Sources covering this story - https://www.newscientist.com/article/2590554-future-of-amazon-rainforest-may-hinge-on-brazil-presidential-election/?utm_campaign=RSS|NSNS&utm_content=home&utm_medium=RSS&utm_source=NSNS — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._