The Brazilian Amazon lost 285 square miles of forest in May, equivalent to two soccer fields every minute during the month, the Guardian reports.
It’s the highest May level of deforestation recorded since the current monitoring methods were instated, according to the report, and is prompting concerns about new Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s policies regarding illegal logging, farming and mining in the country.
The data was gathered by the Brazil government’s satellite monitoring agency.
The month of May is considered an important indicator, as it kicks off the dry season in the rainforest, during which a majority of forest clearing is done.
Environmental activists told the Guardian they are awaiting the June satellite report to see if the May spike is an anomaly or the beginning of a trend of higher deforestation in the region.
