Deputy premier brands Australia ‘deforestation hotspot’ after a 45% jump in her state’s reef catchment clearingQueensland underwent a dramatic surge in tree clearing – with the heaviest losses in grand Barrier Reef catchments – in the year main up to the Palaszczuk government’s thwarted tender to restore protections.
Figures released on Thursday showed a 33% rise in clearing to almost 400000 hectares in 2015-16, meaning Queensland now has two-thirds the annual rate of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. Related: Queensland to use satellites to ensure native woodlands are not cleared Related: Murdered environment officer’s family says land-clearing law change would diminish his life Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com