Across history and even during modern times, forests have been intentionally cleared and razed for purposes like agriculture, manufacturing, or construction.
This is what deforestation is.
Realities of Deforestation
Up to 420 million hectares of forests have been lost since 1990. This is because of deforestation and human activity.
Each year, the world is losing 10 million hectares' worth of trees in order to make space for livestock and crop growing and to produce certain materials, like paper.
Forest loss is also known to contribute to almost 5 billion tons of CO2 in the atmosphere each year. This makes it account for almost 10% of human emissions annually.
In 2021, up to 3.75 million hectares of tropical primary rainforests were lost. This led to roughly 2.5 billion tons' worth of CO2 emissions.
Contributors to Deforestation
The issue of deforestation is quite widespread, with various factors contributing to the matter. One of the major contributors to global deforestation is beef, which accounts for up to 41% of the rate.
Meat Production
Around 81,081 square miles of forests are lost each year in order to produce meat and cater to the demand. Roughly 80% of this happens within Amazon.
Several people are suggesting adhering to a plant-based diet in order to fight deforestation. This could also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the industry and consequently reduce the rate of global warming.
Palm Oil
The palm oil industry is also a major global deforestation contributor. Roughly two out of three food products make use of palm oil. These may include chocolates and biscuits, among others.
The oil is also used in several other household products, such as shampoo and soap.
In order to cater to the growing demand, forest land that is equivalent to 300 football fields is being cleared each hour in order to make space for palm trees to be planted. This ends up devastating the habitats of species that are critically endangered, such as the Sumatran tiger and the orangutan.
Soy
Soy is not just used for tofu, soy milk, and other soybean products. It is also widely used for meat production and animal feed. In fact, animal feed accounts for up to 77% of the production of soy.
Soy is also globally responsible for roughly 12% of deforestation. Since the plant only provides one yield in each cycle, its cultivation would necessitate more land use.
Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest
In recent years, the incidents in the Amazon have been one of the most shocking matters related to deforestation. It has been found that the Amazon, which is considered the world's most biodiverse ecosystem, releases more CO2 compared to what it is absorbing.
This is primarily because of deforestation, climate change, and wildfires.
A study that examined 2010 to 2018 found that eastern Amazonian deforestation has resulted in stronger moisture stress and warming. This was especially the case in dry seasons, which made the forest more vulnerable to experiencing wildfires.
These forest fires could result in the release of three times more carbon than the forests are capable of absorbing, leading to a negative loop.
Moves to End Deforestation
While there has been devastating news regarding the matter, the good thing is that during the COP26 climate conference last year, over 100 countries took part in a pledge to reverse and halt deforestation by 2030.
Overall, these countries, amounting to over 100, could account for 85% of global forests. The pact may require public and private funds amounting to US$19.2 billion to address this global environmental issue. Efforts may focus on degraded land restoration and supporting indigenous groups in wildfire damage mitigation.
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