Forests are home to 70% of the world’s plant and animal species. When they are destroyed, many of them go extinct.
Almost any human activity can cause deforestation. But the biggest causes are farming, logging and infrastructure development.
When trees are cut down they release the carbon dioxide they had stored in their branches and trunks, which contributes to global warming. This is why it is so important to protect our planet’s forests.
Deforestation also damages communities that depend on forested areas for food and income. It can cause soil erosion, decreased water quality and the loss of biodiversity, which has a direct impact on people who live near rainforests. These people may be Indigenous or local people whose culture and livelihoods are dependent on forested areas, or they may be people in rural communities impacted by industrial companies that clear forest land to grow products like palm oil and paper.
Industrial agriculture, including cattle ranching and soya cultivation, is a major contributor to deforestation globally. In South America, ranchers are clearing forests to make room for cows to graze, while in Asia and Africa, industrial companies clear land to grow oil palm and other plants for global food and cosmetic corporations.
The lack of forest cover can also lead to flooding, as rainwater runs off the land instead of soaking into the ground. This can threaten lives, especially in communities along rivers.