If you cut a tree, you kill a life. If you save a tree, you save a life. If you plant a tree, you plant a life.
Definitions
Forests play a critical role in mitigating climate change because they act as a carbon sink-soaking up carbon dioxide that would otherwise be free in the atmosphere and contribute to ongoing changes in climate patterns.
Deforestation undermines this important carbon sink function. It is estimated that 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions are the result of deforestation.
Causes
Wood fuel, illegal logging and mining, land tenure and population agriculture
Deforestation comes in many forms, including fires, clear-cutting for agriculture, ranching and development, unsustainable logging for timber, and degradation due to climate change.
This impacts people’s livelihoods and threatens a wide range of plant and animal species.
Some 46-58 thousand square miles of forest are lost each year—equivalent to 48 football fields every minute.
Many Negative Effects
Soil erosion
Disruption of water cycle
Desertification
Measures taken to prevent deforestation
WWF has been working to protect forests for more than 50 years. With a focus on protected areas management and sustainable forestry
WWF works with governments, companies, communities and other stakeholders to promote certification for responsible forest management practices, combat illegal logging, reform trade policies and protect forested areas.