Deforestation - National Geographic Society
WebFeb 21, 2024 · Deforestation is the purposeful clearing of forested land. Throughout history and into modern times, forests have been razed to make space for agriculture and animal grazing, and to obtain wood for fuel, manufacturing, and construction. Deforestation has greatly altered landscapes around the world.
Deforestation and Forest Degradation | Threats | WWF - World …
WebDec 4, 2018 · The leading cause of deforestation is agriculture, with poorly planned infrastructure another significant contributor to global deforestation. In 2022, the world lost more than 16 million acres of forest—an area bigger than West Virginia—according to the 2023 Forest Declaration Assessment .
Deforestation | Definition, History, Consequences, & Facts
WebApr 8, 2024 · Deforestation, clearing or thinning of forests by humans to make the land available for other uses. Deforestation is a major driver of terrestrial habitat loss and habitat fragmentation and contributes to global warming. Learn about historical and modern deforestation and its effects.
Why deforestation matters—and what we can do to stop it
WebDec 7, 2022 · Large scale destruction of trees—deforestation—affects ecosystems, climate, and even increases risk for zoonotic diseases spreading to humans. As the world seeks to slow the pace of climate...
Deforestation - Wikipedia
WebDeforestation or forest clearance is the removal and destruction of a forest or stand of trees from land that is then converted to non-forest use. [1] Deforestation can involve conversion of forest land to farms, ranches, or urban use. About 31% of Earth's land surface is covered by forests at present. [2]
Deforestation and Forest Loss - Our World in Data
WebFeb 4, 2021 · ‘Forest loss’ or ‘tree loss’ captures two fundamental impacts on forest cover: deforestation and forest degradation. Deforestation is the complete removal of trees for the conversion of forest to another land use such as agriculture, mining, or towns and cities. It results in a permanent conversion of forest into an alternative land use.
Deforestation Remains High, Despite International Pledges
WebApr 28, 2022 · Deforestation Remains High, Despite International Pledges. Brazil had the largest share of tree loss last year, followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo and Bolivia. Indonesia showed ...
COP26: World leaders promise to end deforestation by 2030
WebNov 2, 2021 · Getty Images. Trees are often cut down to create grazing land to feed the world's hunger for meat. More than 100 world leaders have promised to end and reverse deforestation by 2030, in the COP26...
Then and now: Why deforestation is such a hot topic - BBC
WebSep 3, 2021 · For decades, deforestation has been seen as a leading cause of environmental damage. Now, the full cost that losing our tree cover is having on the world's climate is being realised, and ...
Deforestation | UNEP - UN Environment Programme
Web20 April 2021. 30 per cent of emissions from industry and fossil fuels are soaked up by forests and woodlands. Yet every year the world loses 10 million hectares of forest. Deforestation and forest degradation accounts for 11 per cent of carbon emissions.
Skip to content