{"id":1929869,"date":"2018-04-26T08:49:07","date_gmt":"2018-04-26T07:49:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/?p=1929869"},"modified":"2021-05-31T19:08:40","modified_gmt":"2021-05-31T17:08:40","slug":"the-why-what-and-how-of-deforestation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/the-why-what-and-how-of-deforestation\/","title":{"rendered":"The why, what, and how of deforestation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Forests are a key component of life on earth. In addition to providing shelter for 80% of land-dwelling species, they play an essential role in the carbon cycle, converting carbon dioxide into oxygen. <\/span><\/p>\n

It is no exaggeration to say that deforestation is a threat to life on earth. A massive 15 billion trees are lost each year, meaning roughly <\/span>an area the size of Yosemite is destroyed every nine days<\/span>!<\/span><\/p>\n

If these rates continue, then <\/span>rainforests could disappear entirely within a hundred years<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Why is deforestation a problem?<\/b><\/p>\n

In addition to providing habitats and oxygen, Forests also act as the <\/span>first line of defence against climate change<\/span>. Not only does deforestation reduce our planet\u2019s defence against climate change, it actively contributes to it too.<\/span><\/p>\n

When trees are cut, the stored carbon dioxide is released back into the atmosphere, with these greenhouse gases contributing significantly to the various environmental issues <\/span>associated with climate change<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

What is the cause of deforestation?<\/b><\/p>\n

Deforestation takes place to free up land, or to create various consumer products. Cattle-ranching is a leading cause of deforestation, with <\/span>large areas of forest culled for grazing land<\/span>, particularly in Brazil. <\/span><\/p>\n

Palm oil is also a leading cause of deforestation, as <\/span>huge areas of rainforest are cleared every year for palm tree plantations<\/span>. Palm oil is a staple in many everyday products, such as food and cosmetics, and is driving indigenous people from their homes, and various animals to the brink of extinction. <\/span><\/p>\n

How can we address deforestation?<\/b><\/p>\n

Conservation organisations are are planting around 5 billion trees a year, but change needs to happen at an individual level too. Avoiding palm oil, Brazilian beef, and paper where possible is a good start and there are other ways to <\/span>reduce your carbon footprint<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Deforestation is a real threat. Check out the graphic below to find out more. <\/span><\/p>\n

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