Climate 101 Deforestation National Geographic

Summary

Forests cover about 30% of the planet, playing a crucial role in supporting life and regulating Earth's climate. However, deforestation is causing massive destruction, with rainforests potentially disappearing in the next 100 years. Agriculture and forestry contribute significantly to climate change by releasing stored carbon and reducing the absorption of greenhouse gases. Deforestation also threatens biodiversity, causing extinction and impacting billions of people who rely on forests for food and shelter. Though challenging, efforts like sustainable forest management and replanting trees offer hope in combating deforestation and preserving ecosystems.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Forests cover about 30% of the planet and play a vital role in sustaining life on Earth.
• 🌱 Deforestation is happening on a massive scale, threatening the survival of the world's rainforests within 100 years.
• 🔥 Deforestation contributes to 24% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it a major factor in climate change.
• 🌳 When trees are cut down, they release the carbon they store, increasing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
• 💨 Fewer forests mean reduced absorption of greenhouse gases, accelerating global warming.
• 🏞 Forests provide habitats for over 80% of land-based plants and animals, and deforestation destroys these habitats.
• 🦋 Each year, between 4,000 and 6,000 species in rainforests go extinct due to deforestation.
• 🌾 Over two billion people depend on forests for food and shelter, making deforestation a global issue.
• 🍽 The largest driver of deforestation is agriculture, with crops like soybeans, palm trees, and cocoa contributing significantly.
• 🌆 Urban sprawl and land development also lead to the destruction of forests as land is cleared for housing and infrastructure.
• 🌳 Deforestation's effects are serious but reversible with actions like forest resource management, eliminating clear-cutting, and replanting trees.

Q & A

What percentage of the planet is covered by forests?

Forests cover about 30% of the planet.

What role do ecosystems created by forests play on Earth?

Ecosystems created by forests play an essential role in supporting life on Earth.

How long will it take for the world’s rainforests to disappear at the current rate of deforestation?

At the current rate of deforestation, the world's rainforests could completely disappear within a hundred years.

What percentage of greenhouse gas emissions are caused by forestry and agriculture?

Forestry and agriculture are responsible for 24% of greenhouse gas emissions.

How does deforestation contribute to climate change?

Deforestation contributes to climate change in two ways: it releases stored carbon from trees into the atmosphere, and it reduces the ability of trees to absorb greenhouse gases, which accelerates global warming.

How do forests help regulate the Earth's climate?

Forests help regulate the Earth's climate by absorbing greenhouse gases, which helps slow down global warming.

What impact does deforestation have on biodiversity?

Deforestation destroys habitats for many species, leading to a loss in biodiversity. Some estimates suggest that four to six thousand rainforest species go extinct each year due to deforestation.

How many people rely on forests for food and shelter?

Over two billion people rely on forests as sources of food and shelter.

What is the biggest driver of deforestation?

The biggest driver of deforestation is agriculture, as farmers clear land to grow crops such as soybeans, palm oil, and cocoa, or to raise livestock.

What are some of the efforts being made to reduce deforestation?

Efforts to reduce deforestation include managing forest resources, eliminating clear-cutting, and planting new trees to replace those that have been removed.