The head of Brazil's space research agency Ricardo Galvao is set to leave his job following a public dispute with President Jair Bolsonaro over deforestation statistics, a spokesperson for the science ministry said on Friday.

Preliminary data produced by the agency, known as INPE, showed an 88 per cent jump in deforestation in the Amazon rainforest in June compared to the same month a year ago. Data for July 1 to July 25, the latest available, recorded 1,864 square kilometers of deforestation, more than triple the amount in the month of July last year.

Bolsonaro responded angrily to the numbers, describing them last month as a lie, and personally attacking Galvao, who he said might be "in service to some NGO."

On Thursday, he said Galvao would be fired if he was found to have breached his confidence.

Galvao did not take the criticism lying down. In an interview on July 20 with national broadcaster Globo, he dismissed Bolsonaro's criticism as "bar talk" and "a joke of a 14-year-old boy that is not suitable for a president of Brazil." At the time, Galvao said he would not resign.

However, on Friday, Galvao told reporters as he left a meeting with the science minister that his position was no longer tenable, according to a recording broadcast on CBN. </s> Following a public spat with President Jair Bolsonaro over deforestation statistics,the head of Brazil’s space research agency INPE, Ricardo Galvao, is set to leave his job, the science ministry informed Friday.

According to preliminary data produced by INPE in June 2019, deforestation in the Amazon rainforest jumped 88 percent compared to the same month a year ago.

The latest available Records from July 1 to July 25 show a deforested area 1,864 square kilometers long, more than triple the size that the one of July last year.

In June, Bolsonaro described these numbers as a lie and personally attacked Galvao, who he said might be “in service to some NGO.”

On Thursday, he said Galvao would be fired if he was found to have breached his confidence.

Galvao dismissed Bolsonaro’s criticism as “bar talk” and “a joke of a 14-year-old boy that is not suitable for a president of Brazil” in an interview on July 20 with national broadcaster Globo. At the time, Galvao said he would not resign.

However, on Friday, Galvao told reporters, as he left a meeting with the science minister, that his position was no longer tenable, according to a recording broadcast on CBN.

“I will be dismissed,” he said.

A science ministry spokesperson said it was unclear if Galvao had resigned or been fired. A representative for INPE declined to comment.

Bolsonaro’s office and Galvao did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The opposition leader in the lower house of Congress, Alessandro Molon, said Galvao’s departure was a sign of an increasingly authoritarian president.

“He doesn’t accept being contradicted, even when there are scientific facts to prove he is wrong, as in the case of the INPE space agency and Amazon deforestation data,” he said.

On Thursday, Environment Minister Ricardo Salles told reporters during a briefing alongside Bolsonaro that the preliminary data produced by the system, known as DETER, contained errors. Some of the deforestation picked up in June had actually occurred earlier, and certain areas had been counted twice, he said.

The 88 percent increase reported was a distortion of the data, he said, but offered no alternative figures.

INPE released a statement on the same day, saying it was confident in the quality of DETER data. </s> The director of Brazil’s National Space Research Institute (INPE) has been sacked in the midst of a controversy over its satellite data showing a rise in Amazon deforestation, which the far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro, has called “lies”.

Ricardo Galvão, who had defended the institute and criticised Bolsonaro’s attack, was dismissed on Friday after a meeting with the science and technology minister, Marcos Pontes.

“The way I expressed myself in relation to the president has caused an unsustainable embarrassment,” Galvão said on Friday morning, according to the Folha de S Paulo newspaper site.

Deforestation of Brazilian Amazon surges to record high Read more

“Sacking the director of INPE is just an act of vengeance against someone who showed the truth,” said Greenpeace Brasil’s public policy coordinator, Márcio Astrini, in a statement.

Created in 2004, the Deter satellite system makes monthly and daily data publicly available on a regularly updated government website. Its data for recent months showed an alarming rise in deforestation in recent months: it soared 88% in June compared with a year earlier. The first half of July was 68% up on the whole of July 2018.

Bolsonaro and his ministers have called its release irresponsible and an attempt to stain Brazil’s image abroad. Last month he called INPE numbers “lies” and implied that Galvão was in “the service” of a foreign non-profit group. The next day Galvão said the president behaved “like he is in a bar” and defended the institute’s data.

The most accurate data on deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon is collected by the Prodes satellite system and released annually. The Deter satellite system has a lower resolution and is primarily used for deforestation alerts, said Tasso Azevedo, a former head of Brazil’s forest service. But over the last 12 years, whenever annual Deter data showed deforestation increasing, Prodes confirmed the trend and calculated an even higher rate. Publicly available Prodes data goes back to 1988.

Azevedo is the coordinator of MapBiomas, an initiative from NGOs, universities and technology companies that monitors changes in land use. He said that from January to July, accumulated Deter numbers showed a 62% increase in deforestation compared with the same period last year, and that three other international satellite monitoring systems had also shown rising deforestation. “All have different methodology, so the data is different, but all of them point to a rise in deforestation,” he said.

On Thursday, Bolsonaro and the environment minister, Ricardo Salles, criticised the release of data as irresponsible and sensationalist. “The numbers were thrashed out, it seems to me, with the aim of striking at the name of Brazil and the government,” Bolsonaro said.

In a presentation, Salles said his team had found hundreds of areas of deforestation included in the July figures from previous months or years. He did not explain the methodology used. INPE defended its numbers in a statement and said it had not been given prior access to Salles’s study.

The government fears that the alarming data could prejudice an important trade deal between the South American trade bloc, Mercosur, and the EU. Environmentalists said the damage had already been done.

“Brazil’s image is already hopelessly compromised by this crusade against the facts,” said Carlos Rittl, executive secretary of the Climate Observatory. </s> The head of Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research left his position on Friday amid criticism by President Jair Bolsonaro about the agency’s reports on deforestation in the Amazon.

After meeting with the country’s minister of science and technology, Ricardo Galvao said his mandate would be terminated before the end of his term next year due to an “unsustainable” situation.

Science and technology minister Marcos Pontes later confirmed Galvao’s departure on Twitter and thanked him for his dedication.

In recent weeks, Bolsonaro has intensified criticism of INPE deforestation data which has shown a significant increase in illegal logging.

INPE says 920 square kilometers of Amazon forest were lost in June — an 88% increase from the same month last year. It also says it has used the same methodology to measure deforestation since 2004.

President Bolsonaro said at a press conference on Thursday that he suspected that agency officials had manipulated figures to make his administration look bad, and he threatened to dismiss those who provided data he deemed “doubtful.” Environment Minister Ricardo Salles called INPE’s figures sensationalist and inaccurate, but did not offer an alternative estimate.

Since taking office in January, the administration of Mr. Bolsonaro has consistently clashed with environmentalists and others over possibly opening up the Amazon rainforest to development and agribusiness.

In a statement on Thursday, INPE said it had explained its methodology to government officials at a meeting during which Brazil’s environment institute presented its own study that claimed to show “inconsistencies and errors” in INPE’s results.

The agency said it had no prior access or knowledge of the study and reaffirmed “its confidence in the quality of the data.”

Marina Silva, Brazil’s environment minister from 2003 to 2008, said that Mr. Galvao had been “fired for his competence, confidence, and for running an institution that did not cower in the face of ...groundless threats.”

The World Wide Fund for Nature said it supported Galvao and his defense of “the apolitical and public disclosure of deforestation data.” </s> Brasília, Aug 3 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Aug, 2019 ) :The head of Brazil's National Institute for Space Research said on Friday he would be sacked following a row with President Jair Bolsonaro over deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.

Ricardo Galvao had accused far-right Bolsonaro of "cowardice" for publicly questioning satellite data produced by the institute, known by its initials INPE, that showed Amazon rainforest deforestation had increased 88 percent on-year in June.

"My words about the president have caused annoyance, so I'm going to be fired," said Galvao.

Two weeks ago, Bolsonaro had told reporters: "With all the devastation that you are accusing us of doing... the Amazon region would already have been extinguished." Bolsonaro, a climate change skeptic, also called on Galvao "to come to Brasilia to explain the data that was released to the press.

" The president has previously floated the idea of opening up protected rainforest areas to agriculture, a highly controversial move given the existing level of deforestation.

In his row with Galvao, Bolsonaro suggested the INPE president is "in the service of some NGOs."A day later, Galvao hit back, blasting Bolsonaro for making "undue accusations against people of the highest level of Brazilian science" and comparing the president's suspicions to "a joke by a 14-year-old boy."Bolsonaro upped the ante on Thursday, claiming the INPE figures "don't correspond to the truth" and were damaging to the institute and the country. </s> Image copyright Reuters Image caption Scientists say the Amazon has suffered losses at an accelerated rate since Mr Bolsonaro took office

The head of Brazil's National Space Research Institute says he will be sacked after a public row with President Jair Bolsonaro over the scale of deforestation in the Amazon.

Ricardo Galvão had accused the far-right president of "cowardice" for questioning the institute's data.

It showed an 88% increase in deforestation in June compared with the same month a year ago.

Mr Bolsonaro said the institute was smearing Brazil's reputation.

Brazil's ministry of science and technology has confirmed Mr Galvão's departure, although it is not clear whether he had quit or been fired.

Image copyright Reuters Image caption President Bolsonaro has contested the institute's data as lies

Mr Bolsonaro, who took office in January, has accused Mr Galvão's organisation of trying to undermine the government.

However, the National Space Research Institute (Inpe) says its data is 95% accurate.

Scientists say the Amazon has suffered losses at an accelerated rate under Mr Bolsonaro's government, with policies that favour development over conservation.

As the largest rainforest in the world, the Amazon is a vital carbon store that slows down the pace of global warming.

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption How is the rainforest helping limit global warming?

Official figures suggest that the biggest reason to fell trees there is to create new pastures for cattle.

Over the past decade, previous governments had managed to reduce deforestation with concerted action by federal agencies and a system of fines.

But Mr Bolsonaro and his ministers have criticised the penalties and overseen a dramatic fall in confiscations of timber and convictions for environmental crimes.

Several scientific institutions, including the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, have defended Inpe and the accuracy of its data. </s> BRASILIA, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Thursday that if a senior government scientist had betrayed his confidence regarding deforestation data, he would be fired, underlining how growing international pressure to protect the Amazon is weighing on his government.

Bolsonaro made the comments during a tense news conference in Brasilia. He and members of his cabinet pushed back against reports of a recent spike in deforestation in the Amazon, without giving their own assessment of the trend.

Bolsonaro, a far-right, former army captain elected last year, has long been skeptical of environmental issues, and has repeatedly said the Amazon is a resource that belongs to Brazil, which Brazilians should choose how to administer.

Critics have been particularly alarmed by recent data from the internationally renowned National Institute for Space Research (INPE) that showed an 88% rise in deforestation in June.

Both Bolsonaro and his environment minister, Ricardo Salles, said the figure was incorrect and caused Brazil great harm internationally. And Bolsonaro made his threat that if it were shown that INPE Director Ricardo Galvao had betrayed his confidence by releasing erroneous numbers, he would be fired.

Salles acknowledged that Amazon deforestation has been rising in recent years, but said the 88% jump reported by the INPE was incorrect. Nonetheless, he declined to give a specific number, arguing that the measurement mechanism was not suited to give a monthly reading.

Salles said the government's intention is not to hide information about illegal deforestation of the Amazon, but he defended the need to disclose this information with "responsibility." </s> Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has hit back at reports accusing the government of devastating the Amazon (AFP Photo/EVARISTO SA)

Brasília (AFP) - The head of Brazil's National Institute for Space Research said Friday he was going to be sacked following a row with President Jair Bolsonaro over deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.

Ricardo Galvao had accused far-right Bolsonaro of "cowardice" for publicly questioning satellite data produced by the INPE institute that showed Amazon rainforest deforestation had increased 88 percent on-year in June.

"My words about the president have caused annoyance, so I'm going to be fired," said Galvao.

Two weeks ago, Bolsonaro had told reporters: "With all the devastation that you are accusing us of doing... the Amazon region would already have been extinguished."

Bolsonaro, a climate change skeptic, also called on Galvao "to come to Brasilia to explain the data that was released to the press."

The president has previously floated the idea of opening up protected rainforest areas to agriculture, a highly controversial move given the existing level of deforestation.

In his row with Galvao, Bolsonaro suggested the INPE president is "in the service of some NGOs."

A day later, Galvao hit back, blasting Bolsonaro for making "undue accusations against people of the highest level of Brazilian science" and comparing his suspicions to "a joke by a 14-year-old boy."

Bolsonaro upped the ante on Thursday, claiming the INPE figures "don't correspond to the truth" and were damaging to the institute and the country.

Galvao previously insisted he wouldn't resign, but speaking on Friday he admitted he had discussed the possibility he might be fired with the Minister for Science and Technology, Marcos Pontes.

Galvao told the press that his dismissal wouldn't affect INPE, an institution of international repute.

The latest data released by INPE shows that deforestation has increased 40 percent in the last two months alone. </s> Amazon deforestation leads to firing of scientist after President Jair Bolsonaro takes issue with data

The head of Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE) has been sacked amid criticism by President Jair Bolsonaro about the agency's reports on deforestation in the Amazon.

After meeting with the country's Minister of Science and Technology, Ricardo Galvao said his mandate would be terminated before the end of his term next year due to an "unsustainable" situation.

Minister Marcos Pontes later confirmed Mr Galvao's departure on Twitter and thanked him for his dedication.

Since taking office in January, the administration of Mr Bolsonaro — a climate change sceptic — has consistently clashed with environmentalists and others over possibly opening up the Amazon rainforest to development and agribusiness.

Increasingly, though, that point of view has angered foreign governments and trade partners, who want Brazil to do more to protect what they say is a crucial global asset for fighting climate change.

In recent weeks, Mr Bolsonaro has intensified criticism of INPE deforestation data which has shown a significant increase in illegal logging.

Preliminary data produced by INPE showed an 88 per cent jump in deforestation in June in the Amazon rainforest compared to the same month a year ago.

Data for July 1 to July 25, the latest available, recorded 1,864 square kilometres of deforestation, more than triple the amount in July last year.

It also said it has used the same methodology to measure deforestation since 2004.

Mr Bolsonaro responded angrily to the numbers, describing them last month as a lie, and personally attacking Mr Galvao, who he said might be "in service to some NGO."

"With all the devastation that you are accusing us of doing … the Amazon region would already have been extinguished," Mr Bolsonaro said.

Environment Minister Ricardo Salles called INPE's figures sensationalist and inaccurate but did not offer an alternative estimate.

Some of the deforestation picked up in June had actually occurred earlier, and certain areas had been counted twice, Mr Salles said.

In a statement Thursday, INPE said it had explained its methodology to government officials at a meeting during which Brazil's environment institute presented its own study that claimed to show "inconsistencies and errors" in INPE's results.

The agency said it had no prior access or knowledge of the study and reaffirmed "its confidence in the quality of the data."

Mr Galvao did not take the criticism lying down.

In an interview on July 20 with national broadcaster Globo, he dismissed Mr Bolsonaro's criticism as "bar talk" and "a joke of a 14-year-old boy that is not suitable for a president of Brazil."

At the time, Mr Galvao said he would not resign.

However, Mr Galvao told reporters as he left a meeting with the science minister that his position was no longer tenable, according to a recording broadcast on CBN.

"I will be dismissed," he said.

Marina Silva, Brazil's environment minister from 2003 to 2008, said that Mr Galvao had been "fired for his competence, confidence, and for running an institution that did not cower in the face of … groundless threats."

The Opposition Leader in the lower house of Congress, Alessandro Molon, said Mr Galvao's departure was a sign of an increasingly authoritarian president.

"He doesn't accept being contradicted, even when there are scientific facts to prove he is wrong, as in the case of the INPE space agency and Amazon deforestation data," Mr Molon said.

The World Wide Fund for Nature said it supported Galvao and his defence of "the apolitical and public disclosure of deforestation data."
Brazil's National Space Research Institute Director-General Ricardo Galvão is dismissed from office as a result of the release of data showing a rise in Amazon deforestation. President Jair Bolsonaro has called the release of the data "irresponsible and sensationalist".