Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Wednesday to protect nearly a third of California’s land and coastal waters in his latest effort to fight climate change that he has blamed for recent record-breaking wildfires.

He directed state agencies to pursue actions that will remove climate-warming carbon from the atmosphere.

Newsom, who made the announcement in a walnut orchard 25 miles outside of Sacramento, said innovative farming practices, restoring wetlands, better managing forests, planting more trees and increasing the number of parks are all potential tools.

The goal is to conserve 30% of the state's lands and coastal waters in the next decade as part of a larger global effort. California is the first state to join 38 countries that have made similar commitments, Newsom said.

“Thirty by 30 by 2030 is the mandate,” Newsom said. “California, as the fifth-largest economy in the world, needs to flex its muscles, needs to assert itself, and to advance that cause, not only as it relates to its global impacts but hopefully jumpstart similar efforts in other states across this country.”

Newsom said the effort would build on the state's legacy of protecting open space, the environment and biodiversity.

This is the second major climate change directive from the governor since a string of massive wildfires broke out in mid-August. Fires have burned a record amount of land this year, mostly across Northern California, killed 31 people, destroyed nearly 9,000 homes, businesses and other structures, and produced massive amounts of air pollution.

Last month, Newsom directed state regulators to come up with rules to ban sales of new gas-powered passenger cars and trucks by 2035. He said the plan will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35%.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency chief questioned the legality of Newom’s effort to ban sales of those cars.

Environmental and other groups applauded the latest announcement.

POOL

Yolo County, California - 7 October 2020

1. Medium view of California Gov. Gavin Newsom signing executive order

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Gov. Gavin Newsom, (D) California:

"I'm here today to advance an effort to codify efforts that are already underway here in the State of California but to advance them more formally by establishing a framework to reserve and protect over 30 percent of the state's lands, to be conserved here in the State of California, and extend that to our coastal waters as well. Thirty by 30 by 2030 is the mandate and the goal. We'll be the first state in the United States of America to do both land conservation and coastal conservation, and we will join other parts of the globe, some 38 nations and some national governents that have done the same. This is an international movement. California, as the fifth-largest economy in the world, needs to flex its muscles, needs to assert itself, and to advance that cause, not only as it relates to its global impacts but hopefully jumpstart similar efforts in other states across this country.”

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4289440

California will halt sales of new gasoline-powered passenger cars and trucks by 2035, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday, a move he says will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 35% in the nation's most populous state.

The proposed rule would not ban people from owning gas-powered cars or selling them on the used car market. But it would end the sales of all new gasoline-powered passenger cars and trucks in the state of nearly 40 million people.

California and the roughly dozen states that follow its lead on auto emissions standards make up a significant part of the U.S. auto market, giving the day's move huge potential impact for the U.S. automobile industry as well as for long-term efforts against pollution and climate change, which is driven by fossil-fuel emissions. It also is likely to meet opposition from President Donald Trump, who wants to roll back tougher Obama-era auto emissions standards and is battling California to force it to comply.

California already has rules mandating a certain percentage of new car sales must be electric or zero-emission vehicles. This rule, if implemented, would make California the first U.S. state with a plan to phase them out completely.  

At least 15 other countries have already made similar commitments, including Germany, France and Norway.

Newsom's order directs the California Air Resources Board to develop and approve regulations to meet the 2035 deadline. He also ordered them to make a rule requiring all medium and heavy-duty trucks be 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2045 "where feasible."  

Newsom also directed state agencies to speed up development of charging stations across the state and called on the Legislature to eliminate new fracking licenses by 2024.  

Fracking is a technique that allows energy companies to extract huge volumes of oil and gas from shale rock deep underground. It involves injecting high-pressure mixtures of water, sand or gravel and chemicals into rock. Fracking opponents say the chemicals involved threaten water supplies and public health.

California has a goal of relying 100% on clean, renewable energy by 2045. Gasoline and diesel-powered cars and trucks are the biggest impediment to reaching that goal as they account for more than half of the state's carbon pollution.

The order comes as massive wildfires have burned a record 5,600 square miles (14,500 square kilometers) in California this year. Experts say the size and intensity of the fires are aided by warmer temperatures and years of drought brought on by climate change.

POOL

Sacramento, California – 23 September 2020

1. California Gov. Gavin Newsom walks past parked electric cars with California Air Resources Board chair Mary Nichols  

++PARTIALLY COVERED++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Gov. Gavin Newsom, (D) California:

"By 2035 in the next 15 years, we will eliminate in the state of California the sales of internal combustion engines. We will move forward to green and de-carbonize our vehicle fleet here in the state of California. As a consequence, substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions as well as oxide nitrogen, meaning NOx emissions here in the state of California."

++SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASH++

++PARTIALLY COVERED++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Gov. Gavin Newsom, (D) California:

"And so I couldn't be more proud today to sign this executive order moving forward by not denying people the ability to keep their cars after 15 years. You can still keep your internal combustion engine car. You can still have a market for used cars. You can trade and transfer those cars. We're not taking anything away. We're providing an abundance of new choices and new technology."

4. Newsom signs executive order on the hood of a red electric Ford Mustang SUV

California will halt sales of new gasoline-powered passenger cars and trucks by 2035, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday, a move he says will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 35% in the nation's most populous state.

The proposed rule would not ban people from owning gas-powered cars or selling them on the used car market. But it would end the sales of all new gasoline-powered passenger cars and trucks in the state of nearly 40 million people.

California and the roughly dozen states that follow its lead on auto emissions standards make up a significant part of the U.S. auto market, giving the day's move huge potential impact for the U.S. automobile industry as well as for long-term efforts against pollution and climate change, which is driven by fossil-fuel emissions. It also is likely to meet opposition from President Donald Trump, who wants to roll back tougher Obama-era auto emissions standards and is battling California to force it to comply.

California already has rules mandating a certain percentage of new car sales must be electric or zero-emission vehicles. This rule, if implemented, would make California the first U.S. state with a plan to phase them out completely.  

At least 15 other countries have already made similar commitments, including Germany, France and Norway.

Newsom's order directs the California Air Resources Board to develop and approve regulations to meet the 2035 deadline. He also ordered them to make a rule requiring all medium and heavy-duty trucks be 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2045 "where feasible."  

Newsom also directed state agencies to speed up development of charging stations across the state and called on the Legislature to eliminate new fracking licenses by 2024.  

Fracking is a technique that allows energy companies to extract huge volumes of oil and gas from shale rock deep underground. It involves injecting high-pressure mixtures of water, sand or gravel and chemicals into rock. Fracking opponents say the chemicals involved threaten water supplies and public health.

California has a goal of relying 100% on clean, renewable energy by 2045. Gasoline and diesel-powered cars and trucks are the biggest impediment to reaching that goal as they account for more than half of the state's carbon pollution.

The order comes as massive wildfires have burned a record 5,600 square miles (14,500 square kilometers) in California this year. Experts say the size and intensity of the fires are aided by warmer temperatures and years of drought brought on by climate change.

POOL

Sacramento, California – 23 September 2020

++PARTIALLY MUTE AT SOURCE++

1. California Gov. Gavin Newsom walks past parked electric cars with California Air Resources Board chair Mary Nichols

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Gov. Gavin Newsom, (D) California:

"And we'll do that by setting forth a goal, a firm goal, that by 2035 in the next 15 years, we will eliminate in the state of California the sales of internal combustion engines. We will move forward to green and de-carbonize our vehicle fleet here in the state of California. As a consequence, substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions as well as oxide nitrogen, meaning NOx emissions here in the state of California."

3. Medium view of reporter

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Gov. Gavin Newsom, (D) California:

"And so I couldn't be more proud today to sign this executive order moving forward by not denying people the ability to keep their cars after 15 years. You can still keep your internal combustion engine car. You can still have a market for used cars. You can trade and transfer those cars. We're not taking anything away. We're providing an abundance of new choices and new technology, being agnostic about how we get to zero emissions, but being committed to getting to zero emissions by 2035."

5. Newsom and others walk to vehicle to sign executive order

6. Newsom signs executive order on the hood of a red electric Ford Mustang vehicle

7. Newsom walks back to podium

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Mary Nichols, Chair, California Air Resources Board:

"We are challenging the interpretation of the law by the Trump Administration. We believe the Clean Air Act gives us the authority to set exactly the kinds of standards that we have set since the late 60s and we look forward to being able to do that in the future.

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus016878

Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger lifted the curtain on his official portrait on Monday, revealing a photograph-like giant image of the onetime bodybuilder standing in front of the official California seal.

Schwarzenegger revealed the portrait at a ceremony in the state Capitol in which he made a rare appearance in Sacramento nearly four years after he left office.

The portrait, which will eventually hang on the third floor, was done by Austrian artist Gottfried Helnwein, a realist who previously illustrated Andy Warhol and John F. Kennedy.

Schwarzenegger, a movie star before he ran for governor in the chaotic recall election of 2005, said he owes all his successes in life to California, which he called a mythical place "where nothing is impossible." As a boy growing up in Austria, he dreamed about the state, he said.

"I dreamt about California every day, and I knew that one day I would have to come here to this beautiful state if I wanted to make my dreams a reality," he said.

Schwarzenegger said that while he always dreamed big, he never envisioned his portrait hanging in the state Capitol, joking "I might have envisioned a sculpture on Muscle Beach."

Two of Schwarzenegger's five children attended the unveiling, Christopher, 16, and Patrick, 20, which also included political notables including at least three former speakers of the state Assembly, Willie Brown, Bob Hertzberg and Fabian Nunez.

It followed an event earlier Monday in which Schwarzenegger's University of Southern California-based institute hosted a climate symposium that also featured Gov. Jerry Brown, a Democrat.

The seminar, titled "Lessons from California," highlighted the state's aggressive efforts to tackle issues such as reducing carbon emissions.

"While the politicians in Washington can't get anything done because of being stuck in these ideological foxholes, we here in California have two governors from two different parties, together in the same room fighting for the same green energy future," Schwarzenegger said at the summit.

Organizers are using the state's policies to prompt further action ahead of United Nations climate-change conferences in Peru and Paris.

During his tenure, Schwarzenegger signed California's landmark 2006 global-warming law, called AB32, which paved the way for the state's cap-and-trade system for controlling greenhouse-gas emissions by the worst polluters.

Monday's gathering featured research experts, businesses executives from Apple Inc. and UPS Inc., as well as actor-activist Ed Begley Jr.

Schwarzenegger said that California leaders of all political stripes have chosen to address climate change because not doing so will cost much more in the long run in things such as state infrastructure at risk of failure because of flooding, increased heat- and pollution-related deaths, and a never-ending wildfire season that stretches state budgets.

As governor, Schwarzenegger had promised to bring fiscal accountability, but the state faced a huge budget deficit when he left office. Brown has been credited with passing a tax increase, cutting services and bringing the budget back in balance.

In one of his final acts in office, Schwarzenegger commuted the involuntary-manslaughter sentence of the son of Nunez, a former political ally.

Months after Schwarzenegger left office, embarrassing revelations emerged about an affair he had with his maid that resulted in a son born out of wedlock. The disclosure devastated his marriage to Maria Shriver, and the two are separated.

Since then, Schwarzenegger has largely committed to a Hollywood comeback. He appeared in this summer's "The Expendables 3," and he returns to his cyborg assassin character in a new "Terminator" film due out next year.

Schwarzenegger previously told The Associated Press that he has no plans to run for elected office again. "I never wanted to be a career politician," he said.

AP TELEVISION

Sacramento, California - 8 September 2014

1. SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) Arnold Schwarzenegger / Former California Governor

"And I knew that one day I would have to come to this beautiful state if I want to make my dreams become a reality. But not in my wildest dreams did I ever think that one day that I would be governor or that one day that there would be a portrait hanging here in the state Capitol."

2. Close: Arnold's face on portrait

3. SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) Arnold Schwarzenegger / Former California Governor

"My seven years as governor were the most fulfilling years that I'd ever have in my life. I did not accomplish everything I had on my to-do list, but I don't think any governor ever does. But I'm very proud of the things that we did get done - from investing in our infrastructure to reforming our political system to protecting the environment."

4. White Flash

5. SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) Gov. Jerry Brown / (D) California

"When my father saw my portrait, he was angry. He said, 'You'll never be elected to another office again.' Well, it did take me 28 years to get back."

WIRE STORY:

Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger lifted the curtain on his official portrait on Monday, revealing a photograph-like giant image of the onetime bodybuilder standing in front of the official California seal.

Schwarzenegger revealed the portrait at a ceremony in the state Capitol in which he made a rare appearance in Sacramento nearly four years after he left office.

The portrait, which will eventually hang on the third floor, was done by Austrian artist Gottfried Helnwein, a realist who previously illustrated Andy Warhol and John F. Kennedy.

Schwarzenegger, a movie star before he ran for governor in the chaotic recall election of 2005, said he owes all his successes in life to California, which he called a mythical place "where nothing is impossible." As a boy growing up in Austria, he dreamed about the state, he said.

"I dreamt about California every day, and I knew that one day I would have to come here to this beautiful state if I wanted to make my dreams a reality," he said.

Schwarzenegger said that while he always dreamed big, he never envisioned his portrait hanging in the state Capitol, joking "I might have envisioned a sculpture on Muscle Beach."

Two of Schwarzenegger's five children attended the unveiling, Christopher, 16, and Patrick, 20, which also included political notables including at least three former speakers of the state Assembly, Willie Brown, Bob Hertzberg and Fabian Nunez.

It followed an event earlier Monday in which Schwarzenegger's University of Southern California-based institute hosted a climate symposium that also featured Gov. Jerry Brown, a Democrat.

The seminar, titled "Lessons from California," highlighted the state's aggressive efforts to tackle issues such as reducing carbon emissions.

"While the politicians in Washington can't get anything done because of being stuck in these ideological foxholes, we here in California have two governors from two different parties, together in the same room fighting for the same green energy future," Schwarzenegger said at the summit.

Organizers are using the state's policies to prompt further action ahead of United Nations climate-change conferences in Peru and Paris.

During his tenure, Schwarzenegger signed California's landmark 2006 global-warming law, called AB32, which paved the way for the state's cap-and-trade system for controlling greenhouse-gas emissions by the worst polluters.

Monday's gathering featured research experts, businesses executives from Apple Inc. and UPS Inc., as well as actor-activist Ed Begley Jr.

Schwarzenegger said that California leaders of all political stripes have chosen to address climate change because not doing so will cost much more in the long run in things such as state infrastructure at risk of failure because of flooding, increased heat- and pollution-related deaths, and a never-ending wildfire season that stretches state budgets.

As governor, Schwarzenegger had promised to bring fiscal accountability, but the state faced a huge budget deficit when he left office. Brown has been credited with passing a tax increase, cutting services and bringing the budget back in balance.

In one of his final acts in office, Schwarzenegger commuted the involuntary-manslaughter sentence of the son of Nunez, a former political ally.

Months after Schwarzenegger left office, embarrassing revelations emerged about an affair he had with his maid that resulted in a son born out of wedlock. The disclosure devastated his marriage to Maria Shriver, and the two are separated.

Since then, Schwarzenegger has largely committed to a Hollywood comeback. He appeared in this summer's "The Expendables 3," and he returns to his cyborg assassin character in a new "Terminator" film due out next year.

Schwarzenegger previously told The Associated Press that he has no plans to run for elected office again. "I never wanted to be a career politician," he said.

AP TELEVISION

Sacramento, California - 8 September 2014

1. Wide: Schwarzenegger pulls curtain off portrait

2. Close: Arnold's face on portrait

3. Medium: Schwarzenegger poses with sons next to portrait

4. Wide: Spectators watch from balcony

5. Wide: Schwarzenegger takes the stage in Capitol

6. SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) Arnold Schwarzenegger / Former California Governor

"And I knew that one day I would have to come to this beautiful state if I want to make my dreams become a reality. But not in my wildest dreams did I ever think that one day that I would be governor or that one day that there would be a portrait hanging here in the state Capitol."

7. Medium: Schwarzenegger poses with sons, young girls

8. SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) Arnold Schwarzenegger / Former California Governor

"My seven years as governor were the most fulfilling years that I'd ever have in my life. I did not accomplish everything I had on my to-do list, but I don't think any governor ever does. But I'm very proud of the things that we did get done - from investing in our infrastructure to reforming our political system to protecting the environment."

9. Medium: Schwarzenegger poses with supporter

10. Medium: Spectators shoot photos from balcony

11. Medium: Schwarzenegger greets Gov. Jerry Brown, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom

12. SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) Gov. Jerry Brown / (D) California

"When my father saw my portrait, he was angry. He said, 'You'll never be elected to another office again.' Well, it did take me 28 years to get back."

11. Wide: Woman poses next to Schwarzenegger portrait

STORYLINE

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on July 16th dismissed criticism leveled by European nations over deforestation in the Amazon, calling Europe an "environmental sect".

Speaking on social media from his official residence, the Alvorada Palace, the president said that Brazil was an agribusiness power and that it was "a commercial fight" with Europe, not just environmental interests.

Bolsonaro has remained at the residence since last week after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

The Brazilian leader took office in 2019 with plans to develop the Amazon region, and he has frequently denounced environmental restrictions hampering activity.

Lately his government has sought to demonstrate its commitment to the environment, following international criticism last year, when deforestation reached its worst level in 11 years.

In June, mainly European investment firms sent a letter to the Brazilian government expressing concern over rising deforestation and demanded forceful action against illegal activities in the Amazon.

The previous week Brazil's government proposed that global asset-managers adopt protected areas in the Amazon rainforest in order to curb illegal deforestation ahead of the season farmers traditionally use fire to clear land and brush.

That could entail providing financial support for environmental projects or paying for security to prevent people from entering the areas.

Brazilian space agency (INPE) published a report on July 17th revealing 400 square miles (1,034 square kilometers) of deforestation in the Amazon in June, a new record the month since data started being gathered in 2015.

Total deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon from January to June was 1,890 square miles (3,069 square kilometers), up 25% from the same six-month period in 2019.

Outside observers are keeping close tabs on Brazil's environmental stewardship just ahead of the so-called burning season, during which landholders use fire to clear brush and forest.

"The average of fires and heat spots in Brazil is below the average of the last years," said Bolsonaro on July 16th.

He added that the fires were part of the culture of people living in the rural areas, including the indigenous people.

Bolsonaro has banned setting agricultural and forest fires as the country enters the dry season at a moment when the government faces pressure from local and foreign companies to show greater commitment to environmental protection.

His 120-day decree, published in the official gazette, comes just ahead of the period when fires are most common in the Amazon region, with rainfall is at its lowest.

In 2019 fires across Brazilian forests spread at a pace unseen since 2010, stirring an international outcry.

While speaking on social media on Thursday, Bolsonaro also spoke briefly about the upcoming US presidential elections, saying he supported President Donald Trump.

***

One year ago the "Day of Fire", a day to intentionally ignite fires, triggered international outcry when the number of wildfires in the region of Novo Progresso, a city in the Amazon Region of Pará, had a massive spike.

On August 13th, with the burning season starting, the region once again comes to national attention.

Preliminary official data published on August 7th shows that deforestation in Brazil's Amazon region over the past 12 months could be at a 14-year high, adding to concerns that President Jair Bolsonaro has failed to rein in the destruction of the world's largest tropical rainforest.

For residents of Novo Progresso, it's unfair that the crimes of few are used to label the people of a city built by hard-working ranchers.

"If there is an environmental crime committed by A, B or C, those people should not be taken as a stereotype of all the people from Novo Progresso", said Nubia Machado, a local teacher.

Smaller ranchers like 59-year-old Joaquim da Silva said that they pay the price of greedy ranchers that don't care about laws.

"All of us here, all our neighbours want their piece of land and want to have it legally, and we care about the environment. You can't cut it all down."

The Brazilian Amazon lost 9,205 square kilometres (3,554 square miles) of vegetation in the last months, according to data from the country's space agency.

That was mainly due to a surge of fires in August and September 2019.

The overall loss was 34% greater than the prior 12-month period.

The data was produced by Brazil's Deter monitoring system, which provides daily deforestation alerts based on satellite images.

Data from another system named Prodes, which relies on more detailed satellite images and records more of the deforestation, will be released by yearend.

Both are administered by Brazil's space institute, which tabulates annual deforestation starting with August, when the dry season starts and farmers and loggers traditionally start using fires to clear land.

Bolsonaro came to office promising to open more of the Amazon to development, such as farming and mining. But international concern has led investors to try to distance themselves from the deforestation and to pressure the government to take more action against it.

Bolsonaro dispatched the Army last year to combat Amazon deforestation and fires, and in May he stationed troops in several states ahead of the so-called burning season.

Deter data for July registered a decrease from the same month in 2019, when deforestation surged to the highest monthly level since at least mid-2015.

***

Fires resulting from unchecked deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest are poisoning the air millions of people breathe, a report released on August 23rd shows.

According to the study carried out by Human Rights Watch, the Amazon Environmental Research Institute (IPAM), and the Institute for Health Policy Studies (IEPS), deforestation in the Amazon and the blazes which followed increased dramatically during 2019, President Jair Bolsonaro's first year in office, and 2020 is already proving to be worse.

The report called "The Air is Unbearable" analyzed data from 2019, crossing official figures from people admitted in hospitals with data on burns and the quality of the air.

It estimates 2,195 people were taken to hospital due to respiratory illness attributable to the 2019 fires.

Almost 500 of these cases involved infants under one year old, and more than 1,000 involved people over age 60.

Brazil Human Rights Watch director Maria Laura Canineu said the deforestation had created a "chronic" public health problem which had been "preventable".

***

Firefighters in Brazil's vast wetlands in the Pantanal region are waging an increasingly desperate battle to control the widespread fires that are engulfing thousands of square miles, killing wildlife and threatening livelihood of residents.

A vast swath of fires are sweeping across several national parks and obscuring the sun behind dense smoke, and affecting the hundreds of species that inhabit the wetlands.

About 200 jaguars in the area already have been injured, killed or forced from their territories by the fires, according to Panthera, an international wild cat conservation organisation.

Preliminary figures from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, based on satellite images, indicate that nearly 5,800 square miles (1.5 million hectares) have burned since the start of August - an expanse comparable to the area consumed by the historic blazes now afflicting California.

The large expanse of the fires proves a difficulty for the troopers and volunteers fighting them.

"Truthfully, one of the main difficulties here in Pantanal is to be able to get to the fire. So, even if I had (more) resources, we wouldn't be able to go directly to the (biggest) flames," said Lucas de Souza Brito, Fire Chief of the Pantanal Operation II.

Brazil's National Institute for Space Research, whose satellites monitor the fires, said the number of Panantal fires in the first 12 days of September was nearly triple the figure for the same period last year, topping 10,000.

Firefighters, troops and volunteers have been scrambling to find and rescue jaguars and other animals before they are overtaken by the flames, which have been exacerbated by the worst drought in 47 years, strong winds and temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

While illegal logging, mining and farming operations have been blamed for most of the fires in the Amazon region to the north, the Matto Grosso State firefighters said that one of the cause of the Pantanal fires is the practice of burning roots to smoke wild bees from their hives to extract honey.

01:08:00

STORYLINE

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on July 16th dismissed criticism leveled by European nations over deforestation in the Amazon, calling Europe an "environmental sect".

Speaking on social media from his official residence, the Alvorada Palace, the president said that Brazil was an agribusiness power and that it was "a commercial fight" with Europe, not just environmental interests.

Bolsonaro has remained at the residence since last week after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

The Brazilian leader took office in 2019 with plans to develop the Amazon region, and he has frequently denounced environmental restrictions hampering activity.

Lately his government has sought to demonstrate its commitment to the environment, following international criticism last year, when deforestation reached its worst level in 11 years.

In June, mainly European investment firms sent a letter to the Brazilian government expressing concern over rising deforestation and demanded forceful action against illegal activities in the Amazon.

The previous week Brazil's government proposed that global asset-managers adopt protected areas in the Amazon rainforest in order to curb illegal deforestation ahead of the season farmers traditionally use fire to clear land and brush.

That could entail providing financial support for environmental projects or paying for security to prevent people from entering the areas.

Brazilian space agency (INPE) published a report on July 17th revealing 400 square miles (1,034 square kilometers) of deforestation in the Amazon in June, a new record the month since data started being gathered in 2015.

Total deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon from January to June was 1,890 square miles (3,069 square kilometers), up 25% from the same six-month period in 2019.

Outside observers are keeping close tabs on Brazil's environmental stewardship just ahead of the so-called burning season, during which landholders use fire to clear brush and forest.

"The average of fires and heat spots in Brazil is below the average of the last years," said Bolsonaro on July 16th.

He added that the fires were part of the culture of people living in the rural areas, including the indigenous people.

Bolsonaro has banned setting agricultural and forest fires as the country enters the dry season at a moment when the government faces pressure from local and foreign companies to show greater commitment to environmental protection.

His 120-day decree, published in the official gazette, comes just ahead of the period when fires are most common in the Amazon region, with rainfall is at its lowest.

In 2019 fires across Brazilian forests spread at a pace unseen since 2010, stirring an international outcry.

While speaking on social media on Thursday, Bolsonaro also spoke briefly about the upcoming US presidential elections, saying he supported President Donald Trump.

***

One year ago the "Day of Fire", a day to intentionally ignite fires, triggered international outcry when the number of wildfires in the region of Novo Progresso, a city in the Amazon Region of Pará, had a massive spike.

On August 13th, with the burning season starting, the region once again comes to national attention.

Preliminary official data published on August 7th shows that deforestation in Brazil's Amazon region over the past 12 months could be at a 14-year high, adding to concerns that President Jair Bolsonaro has failed to rein in the destruction of the world's largest tropical rainforest.

For residents of Novo Progresso, it's unfair that the crimes of few are used to label the people of a city built by hard-working ranchers.

"If there is an environmental crime committed by A, B or C, those people should not be taken as a stereotype of all the people from Novo Progresso", said Nubia Machado, a local teacher.

Smaller ranchers like 59-year-old Joaquim da Silva said that they pay the price of greedy ranchers that don't care about laws.

"All of us here, all our neighbours want their piece of land and want to have it legally, and we care about the environment. You can't cut it all down."

The Brazilian Amazon lost 9,205 square kilometres (3,554 square miles) of vegetation in the last months, according to data from the country's space agency.

That was mainly due to a surge of fires in August and September 2019.

The overall loss was 34% greater than the prior 12-month period.

The data was produced by Brazil's Deter monitoring system, which provides daily deforestation alerts based on satellite images.

Data from another system named Prodes, which relies on more detailed satellite images and records more of the deforestation, will be released by yearend.

Both are administered by Brazil's space institute, which tabulates annual deforestation starting with August, when the dry season starts and farmers and loggers traditionally start using fires to clear land.

Bolsonaro came to office promising to open more of the Amazon to development, such as farming and mining. But international concern has led investors to try to distance themselves from the deforestation and to pressure the government to take more action against it.

Bolsonaro dispatched the Army last year to combat Amazon deforestation and fires, and in May he stationed troops in several states ahead of the so-called burning season.

Deter data for July registered a decrease from the same month in 2019, when deforestation surged to the highest monthly level since at least mid-2015.

***

Fires resulting from unchecked deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest are poisoning the air millions of people breathe, a report released on August 23rd shows.

According to the study carried out by Human Rights Watch, the Amazon Environmental Research Institute (IPAM), and the Institute for Health Policy Studies (IEPS), deforestation in the Amazon and the blazes which followed increased dramatically during 2019, President Jair Bolsonaro's first year in office, and 2020 is already proving to be worse.

The report called "The Air is Unbearable" analyzed data from 2019, crossing official figures from people admitted in hospitals with data on burns and the quality of the air.

It estimates 2,195 people were taken to hospital due to respiratory illness attributable to the 2019 fires.

Almost 500 of these cases involved infants under one year old, and more than 1,000 involved people over age 60.

Brazil Human Rights Watch director Maria Laura Canineu said the deforestation had created a "chronic" public health problem which had been "preventable".

***

Firefighters in Brazil's vast wetlands in the Pantanal region are waging an increasingly desperate battle to control the widespread fires that are engulfing thousands of square miles, killing wildlife and threatening livelihood of residents.

A vast swath of fires are sweeping across several national parks and obscuring the sun behind dense smoke, and affecting the hundreds of species that inhabit the wetlands.

About 200 jaguars in the area already have been injured, killed or forced from their territories by the fires, according to Panthera, an international wild cat conservation organisation.

Preliminary figures from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, based on satellite images, indicate that nearly 5,800 square miles (1.5 million hectares) have burned since the start of August - an expanse comparable to the area consumed by the historic blazes now afflicting California.

The large expanse of the fires proves a difficulty for the troopers and volunteers fighting them.

"Truthfully, one of the main difficulties here in Pantanal is to be able to get to the fire. So, even if I had (more) resources, we wouldn't be able to go directly to the (biggest) flames," said Lucas de Souza Brito, Fire Chief of the Pantanal Operation II.

Brazil's National Institute for Space Research, whose satellites monitor the fires, said the number of Panantal fires in the first 12 days of September was nearly triple the figure for the same period last year, topping 10,000.

Firefighters, troops and volunteers have been scrambling to find and rescue jaguars and other animals before they are overtaken by the flames, which have been exacerbated by the worst drought in 47 years, strong winds and temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

While illegal logging, mining and farming operations have been blamed for most of the fires in the Amazon region to the north, the Matto Grosso State firefighters said that one of the cause of the Pantanal fires is the practice of burning roots to smoke wild bees from their hives to extract honey.

01:08:00

00:00:00

Bolsonaro calls Europe an 'environmental sect'

4279078

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARCHIVE: Renascer Reserve, Para State - 22 November 2019

++MUTE++

1. Drone shot of the forest at Renascer Reserve

2. Tilt down from the trees to logs on the ground (Cut by illegal loggers)

ARCHIVE: Near Trans-Amazon highway, Para State - 22-29 November 2019

++MUTE++

3. Various of fallen trees seen behind the smoke rising from a fire in the rainforest

00:12:01

Brazilian Amazon fires on rise amid growing deforestation

4283182

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Novo Progresso, Pará State - 13 August 2020

+++AERIAL SHOTS+++

4. Various aerials of fire and deforestation in the Amazon forest

00:24:01

Brazil deforestation fires affect millions in Amazon

4285130

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Novo Progresso, Para State - 23 August 2020

5. Aerial of fire and deforestation in the Amazon rainforest ++MUTE++

Novo Progresso, Para State - 25 August 2020

6. rainforest burning and smoke

Novo Progresso, Para State - 26 August 2020

7. Heavy smoke over highway

Novo Progresso, Para State - 23 August 2020

8. Aerial of fire and deforestation in rainforest ++MUTE++

Novo Progresso, Para State - 25 August 2020

9. rainforest burning and smoke

00:48:01

Wildlife and wetland area devastated in Brazil

4288077

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Poconé, state of Mato Grosso - 14 September 2020

10. Dead alligator in burned area

11. Burned vegetation

Poconé, state of Mato Grosso - 13 September 2020

12. Various of jaguar walking through the damaged Pantanal

Poconé, state of Mato Grosso - 11 September 2020

13. Aerial image of a big fire consuming Pantanal ++MUTE++

14. Smoke in area next to the Transpantaneira Road