Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (AFP) – Brazil recorded 13,489 wildfires in the first half of the year in the Amazon, the worst figure in 20 years, satellite data revealed Monday.

The total was up 61 percent as compared with the same period last year — an increase that experts say is the result of a historic drought that struck the world’s largest tropical rainforest last year.

lg/sst/des

© Agence France-Presse

Featured image credit: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Public Domain (Note: “The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.”)

Graphic news (s. climate, science, research, scientists. emission targets, floods, environment)
Carbon capture startup Climeworks to cut staffNews

Carbon capture startup Climeworks to cut staff

Swiss firm Climeworks, which has pioneered the direct capture of CO2 using huge industrial fans in Iceland, is holding talks with staff representatives to cut…
SourceSourceMay 17, 2025 Full article
This artist’s concept depicts one of two PREFIRE CubeSats in orbit around Earth.
NASA launches ground-breaking climate change satelliteNews

NASA launches ground-breaking climate change satellite

Washington, United States (AFP) - A tiny NASA satellite was launched Saturday from New Zealand with the mission of improving climate change prediction by measuring…
SourceSourceMay 25, 2024 Full article
Image: a group of people swimming in a body of water
‘Excellent’ water at most European beaches, study saysNews

‘Excellent’ water at most European beaches, study says

Copenhagen, Denmark | AFP | Muser NewsDesk The vast majority of Europe's beaches offer "excellent" water quality for swimming, the EU environment agency said on Tuesday…
SourceSourceJune 16, 2026 Full article