Brazil deforestation crisis grows

A mighty giant of the rain forest is felled.

Home to some of the world's most fascinating creatures and vital for the stability of the earth's atmosphere the rainforest is being torn down rapidly.

It's been under threat for decades- now today's loggers and those clearing zones for agriculture are continuing the damage.

Brazil's new Environmental Minister said the latest figures were worrying and that this year could be worse than the last.

(SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZIL'S ENVIRONMENT MINISTER, CARLOS MINC, SAYING:

"Our war isn't simply against the figures of each month. The present (economic development) model impoverishes the people and destroys the forest. We want another model, where the forest is preserved as an important genetics bank and the people have a better life condition, with more jobs, payments and sewage systems."

Illegal loggers are targetted by police.

But it is not enough.

Brazil's great rain forest is seen as an important control on carbon dioxide in the earth's atmosphere.

Environmentalists are concerned its loss will drive up global warming.

But the present rising global commodity prices are likely to fuel more clearing of land for farms.

The Brazilian government is introducing new measures to contain the forest destruction but it remains to be seen whether they will be any more effective than all the previous policies.

Penny Tweedie, Reuters.

mighty - very great in extent or importance
fell tr.v. felled, fell·ing, fells 1.

a. To cause to fall by striking; cut or knock down: fell a tree; fell an opponent in boxing.
tear (tore, torn, tear·ing, tears) down

1. To demolish: tear down old tenements.

2. To take apart; disassemble: tear down an engine.
drive up - approach while driving; "The truck entered the driveway and drove up towards the house"