Deforestation

Deforestation is the large-scale clearing or thinning of forests, often to make way for agricultural, industrial, or urban development. Forests play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate by acting as carbon sinks—absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. The loss of these forests contributes significantly to climate change in two critical ways: by releasing stored carbon back into the atmosphere and reducing the planet's overall capacity to absorb CO2.

How Deforestation Contributes to Climate Change:
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Deforestation accounts for nearly 10-15% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it a critical driver of climate change. When forests are cleared, the carbon stored in trees and soil is released as CO2. This contributes to a warming planet and disrupts natural ecosystems.

Key Impacts of Deforestation:

• Release of Existing Carbon Sinks: Cutting down forests releases significant amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, amplifying the greenhouse effect.
• Reduction of Overall CO2 Absorption Capacity: With fewer trees and vegetation to act as carbon sinks, the planet’s ability to absorb CO2 diminishes over time. This creates a compounding effect, where emissions not only increase but the natural offsetting capacity also decreases, intensifying climate change.
• Loss of Biodiversity: Endangers countless plant and animal species reliant on forest ecosystems.
• Water Cycle Disruption: Reduces rainfall and increases the risk of drought in tropical regions like the Amazon, further destabilizing ecosystems and agricultural productivity.

Global Efforts to Combat Deforestation:

Deforestation is addressed through international agreements and initiatives like:

• The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR): A European law prohibiting the import of goods linked to deforestation into EU markets. This includes commodities like soy, cattle, palm oil, wood, and coffee, holding companies accountable for ensuring deforestation-free supply chains no matter how far along the supply chain they are.
• The REDD+ Program, a UN initiative providing incentives to reduce deforestation in developing countries.
• Private sector commitments to deforestation-free supply chains, driven by frameworks like the GHG Protocol and SBTi FLAG Guidance.

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Did You Know?
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The Amazon rainforest, known also as the "lungs of the planet," stores an estimated 100 billion metric tons of carbon. Protecting forests like the Amazon is vital for global climate resilience.

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