World Lost 10 Million Square Kilometres of Forest
Source: The Hindu
GS III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Overview
- News in Brief
- World Lost 10 Million Square Kilometres of Forest
- Conclusion
Why in the News?
Because of unregulated and unsustainable activities that have deteriorated forest landscapes, as well as the exploitation of forest resources, there has been substantial global forest degradation.
News in Brief
- According to estimates from the globe Bank, since the turn of the 20th century, the globe has lost almost 10 million square kilometres of forests.
- The primary rationale behind the United Nations’ designation of 2021–2030 as a Decade of Ecosystem Restoration was the focus on forest restoration strategies to restore these damaged ecosystems to their pre-degradation state.
- In order to provide $9 trillion in ecosystem services and absorb an extra 13–26 gigatons of greenhouse emissions from the atmosphere, this aimed to restore 350 million hectares of damaged land.
World Lost 10 Million Square Kilometres of Forest
- Forests are vital to the health of our planet, providing essential ecosystem services, supporting biodiversity, and playing a crucial role in mitigating climate change.
- However, the world has witnessed a staggering loss of forest cover over the past century.
- According to estimates, approximately 10 million square kilometres of forest have been lost since the beginning of the 20th century.
Causes of Forest Loss
- Agricultural Expansion
- One of the primary drivers of deforestation is the conversion of forests into agricultural land.
- This includes both subsistence farming and large-scale commercial agriculture, such as palm oil plantations, soybean fields, and cattle ranching.
- Logging
- Both legal and illegal logging contribute significantly to forest loss.
- Timber is harvested for construction, paper production, and other industries, often leading to the degradation of forest ecosystems.
- Infrastructure Development
- The construction of roads, dams, and urban expansion leads to the clearing of forests.
- Infrastructure projects often fragment habitats, making it difficult for wildlife to thrive.
- Mining
- Mining activities, especially in tropical regions, result in significant deforestation.
- The extraction of minerals and fossil fuels requires large areas of land, leading to the destruction of forests.
- Climate Change
- Climate change exacerbates forest loss through increased frequency and intensity of wildfires, storms, and pest infestations.
- These events can devastate large tracts of forest, reducing their ability to recover.
Impacts of Forest Loss
- Biodiversity Loss
- Forests are home to a vast array of plant and animal species.
- Deforestation leads to habitat destruction, putting countless species at risk of extinction. This loss of biodiversity has far-reaching consequences for ecosystem stability and resilience.
- Climate Change
- Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When forests are cleared, the stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Deforestation is responsible for approximately 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
- Disruption of Water Cycles
- Forests play a crucial role in regulating water cycles.
- They help maintain the balance of water in the atmosphere, soil, and rivers.
- Deforestation disrupts these cycles, leading to changes in precipitation patterns, increased flooding, and reduced water quality.
- Impact on Indigenous Communities:
- Many indigenous communities rely on forests for their livelihoods, culture, and identity.
- Deforestation threatens their way of life, leading to displacement and loss of traditional knowledge.
Potential Solutions
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Promoting sustainable agricultural practices can help reduce the pressure on forests.
- This includes agroforestry, which integrates trees into agricultural landscapes, and sustainable land management practices that minimize the need for forest conversion.
- Forest Conservation and Restoration
- Protecting existing forests and restoring degraded ones are critical steps in combating deforestation.
- Initiatives like the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration aim to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide.
- Strengthening Legal Frameworks
- Enforcing laws against illegal logging and land conversion is essential.
- Strengthening legal frameworks and ensuring compliance can help protect forests from unsustainable exploitation.
- Community Involvement
- Engaging local communities in forest management and conservation efforts can lead to more effective and sustainable outcomes.
- Empowering indigenous and local communities to manage their forests ensures that conservation efforts are culturally appropriate and locally supported.
- Corporate Responsibility
- Companies can play a significant role in reducing deforestation by adopting sustainable sourcing practices.
- This includes eliminating deforestation from supply chains and investing in reforestation projects.
Conclusion
- The loss of 10 million square kilometres of forest is a stark reminder of the urgent need to address deforestation.
- By understanding the causes and impacts of forest loss, and implementing effective solutions, we can work towards a future where forests are protected and restored.
- Collective action from governments, businesses, communities, and individuals is essential to safeguard these vital ecosystems for future generations.
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