RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Brazilian cellulose and paper products giant Suzano is warning that the current drought in Brazil may result in more forest fires in the Amazon this year.
The drought in the central region has ravaged crops in Brazil, which is the largest exporter of a variety of products, such as sugar and soy, just as Brazil is entering the dry season.
This could result in more fires in the rainforests, essential to absorb greenhouse gases and keep the planet’s temperature under control. Last month, the total number of fires in the Amazon reached its highest level in 14 years for the month of May, according to government data.
Suzano’s CEO Walter Schalka is observing an increase in deforestation and foresees another “very difficult” dry season for the rainforest.
In 2020, deforested areas in the Amazon increased by 9% over the previous year, according to a report by the Amazon Environmental Research Institute. The federal government has issued penalties for less than 10% of deforested areas.
Suzano is developing a project to protect the biodiversity of over half a million hectares in the Amazon, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest.
The company will plant vegetation corridors connecting 1,850 isolated native forest patches. This will reduce the isolation of species, increasing their ability to reproduce. By 2030, Suzano’s goal is to capture carbon equivalent to the volume emitted by Hong Kong in one year.