Deforestation has far-reaching consequences
$May 28, 2009
Originally Published by Wildlife Alliance
We all know about the environmental crisis facing us in the form of climate change and global warming. Many of us are already changing our lifestyles to respond to it. But buying hybrid cars and using renewable energy will only take us part of the way. What we may not consider is the critical role of forest protection in stopping climate change. 
When the forests of Asia, Latin America, and Africa are plowed under, cut down, or turned into timber and pulp and paper products, the carbon represented by those trees goes into the atmosphere. In fact, more than 20% of global output of carbon dioxide comes directly from the destruction of the world's tropical forest belts – that's more than the world's cars, boats, planes and trains put together! But according to a recent study, only 7.7% of the world's forests are protected. Not only does this mean that the 10% target for biodiversity protection agreed to by 191 nations under the Convention on Biological Diversity will not be met by 2010, but it also means that efforts to stabilize climate change could be impeded. That's why forest protection and responsible management are critical to addressing climate change. Learn how Wildlife Alliance is working to protect tropical forests – from the ground, the air, and by patrolling the corridors of decisionmakers – in our new Deforestation and Climate Change factsheet. |
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