Why Colombia’s rate of deforestation dropped in half in a single year

Between 2022 and 2023, Colombia experienced a nearly 50% decrease in primary forest loss. That’s the lowest level in a decade. One reason is that the government of President Gustavo Petro is prioritizing Colombia’s environment, one of the most megadiverse in the world. But another reason involves an armed rebel group, which banned logging in the areas it still controls. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Rodrigo Botero, director of the Foundation for Conservation and Sustainable Development (FCDS) in Colombia.