Deforestation
Deforestation
Deforestation
Destruction of forests creates numerous environmental catastrophes, including altering local rainfall patterns, accelerating soil erosion, causing the flooding of rivers, and threatening millions of species of plants, animals and insects with extinction.
The main causes of deforestation are: expansion of agricultural and industrial needs, population growth, poverty, consumer demand and landlessness.
Despite increased public awareness and a large number of initiatives, deforestation is still continuing in most of Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific. During 1980-90 alone, the Latin American region lost 62 million hectares (6.0 per cent) of its natural forest, which was the largest loss in the world during those years, with a further 5.8 million hectares a year lost during 1990-95. (source:UNEP)
The Alarming Reality of Global Deforestation
Deforestation remains one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time. Since 1990, the world has lost approximately 420 million hectares of forest, an area larger than the size of India. This massive loss is primarily driven by agricultural expansion, illegal logging, mining, and urbanization. Each year, around 10 million hectares of forest are destroyed, contributing significantly to climate change and biodiversity loss.
Alarming Facts:
- Rapid Loss: In 2022, the world lost the equivalent of 11 soccer fields of primary rainforest every minute.
- Biodiversity Threat: Deforestation threatens countless species, with an estimated 28,000 species predicted to become extinct by 2050 due to habitat loss.
- Carbon Emissions: Forests, which act as carbon sinks, are being turned into carbon sources. About 12% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from deforestation.
- Human Impact: Deforestation affects 1.6 billion people worldwide who rely on forests for their livelihoods.
Addressing deforestation is crucial for maintaining biodiversity, combating climate change, and supporting the livelihoods of millions of people. By supporting reforestation and sustainable land management practices, we can help mitigate these impacts and protect our planet for future generations.