Deforestation unquestionably has some short-term economic gains, but these should not be used as an excuse to delay or roll back legislation to stop forest destruction – the long-term costs are far greater.
Agriculture is responsible for most global deforestation, clearing land for crops such as coffee, palm oil, soy and rubber – products we rely on daily.
Impacts of Deforestation on Food Security
Destruction of forests for agriculture may bring short-term economic gains, but its long-term repercussions can be disastrous. 250 million people worldwide depend on forest resources for food, medicine, fuel and income – often living in poor rural areas unable to afford switching land uses such as livestock or plant cultivation that may be more lucrative but require larger tracts. Deforestation also disrupts local weather patterns leading to drought and desertification that further threaten food supplies.
Food and nutrition security can be achieved without cutting down more forests, by employing forest resources in integrated farm systems to increase productivity while decreasing clearing. This type of farming has become increasingly popular in Ethiopia where farmers work closely with forests to produce nutritious crops like teff and sesame.
But to stop cutting down forests, the international community must adjust its approach. They should set more stringent standards for products we purchase and insist upon zero deforestation production and supply chains. Furthermore, they should assist farmers adopt more sustainable agricultural practices like using trees as natural windbreaks or using mulch to boost soil fertility.
Richer countries should also closely examine their domestic deforestation rates in relation to global reforestation efforts, and stop pushing for policies that enable agribusinesses to clear rainforest for soy, palm oil, or cattle ranching production.
Food and nutrition security for the world’s population while simultaneously protecting natural environments is an immense challenge, yet achievable through concerted efforts from governments and private sectors around the globe. We must not fall into the habit of prioritizing food over protecting the planet that sustains us; similarly we must not allow shortsighted politicians use Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as an excuse for postponing or rolling back regulation that would help safeguard forests and climate.
Impacts of Deforestation on Climate Change
Deforestation is not only responsible for stripping us of essential forests, but is also an ongoing contributor to climate change. Greenhouse gases released by burning fossil fuels exacerbate global warming; forests absorb some of this heat through reflecting sunlight back into the atmosphere; when trees are cut down or burned this process is interrupted and local temperatures increase dramatically due to deforestation-induced local warming which has been linked with increases in heat-related illnesses and deaths.
Agriculture is responsible for most tropical deforestation. With demand for commodity crops like palm oil and soya increasing rapidly, large-scale commercial producers are clearing forests to make way for large-scale production while smaller scale subsistence farmers clear forest to increase food supplies and generate extra income.
Deforestation now accounts for more than one-third of global CO2 emissions, according to FAO figures. This includes both direct emissions from deforestation itself as well as indirect ones caused by products produced using commodities harvested from deforested land.
Madagascar ranks highest for tropical deforestation worldwide, losing an average of 25 percent of its forests annually from 1990-2005. Other high-rate deforestation countries include Comoros, Burundi and Togo in Africa as well as Papua New Guinea, Mauritania and Indonesian islands.
Deforestation rates worldwide are on an alarming trajectory. To address this crisis, some rich countries are increasing their commitments to forest restoration initiatives domestically; however, domestic projects do not compare to global impacts of commodity-driven deforestation on global forests.
To address deforestation, all stakeholders involved must collaborate. Public health agencies should work alongside researchers studying climate change’s relationship to land-use patterns; agriculture ministries must coordinate with environmental and labor officials on farms for sustainable practices that protect workers’ safety; consumers can help by supporting companies who pledge no deforestation policies and buying certified sustainable products.
Impacts of Deforestation on Water Resources
Deforestation’s rapid spread has far-reaching repercussions for global economy and food supplies. Loss of forests and greenspace results in decreased water yield and quality; consequently, increasing treatment needs while diminishing availability.
Forest ecosystem loss reduces rain and snowfall, leading to severe droughts and aridification, with direct implications on food production – decreasing agricultural yields while driving up prices of staple foods such as cereals.
Forest loss also alters the hydrology of local watersheds, with an adverse impact on their hydrology. Studies have demonstrated that water quality largely depends upon the health and integrity of its forested ecosystem; watersheds with healthier forests yield higher water yields with lower turbidity, thus decreasing treatment needs; forests also help control soil erosion which reduces sediment load as well as nutrient runoff into lakes and rivers.
Deforestation’s impact on water resources is especially acute in countries with high rates of deforestation such as Brazil and Africa. Most global deforestation is driven by agricultural expansion – this accounts for roughly 89% of global deforestation.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), commercial agriculture accounts for much of deforestation worldwide; small-scale farming practices and infrastructure development also play a significant role in forest destruction in developing countries.
At a time when global population numbers continue to increase exponentially, there is an urgent need for action that can improve agricultural productivity and food security without harming Earth’s precious natural resources. Support government regulation and policymakers that facilitate transition away from destructive agriculture practices while investing in sustainable farming techniques as part of an holistic landscape approach to conservation and restoration are crucial steps towards success.
Many companies are making progress: in 2017, over 60% of publicly-listed companies reporting to CDP included forest status into their water risk assessments – up from less than half in 2015. And an increasing number of firms setting goals related to reforestation, ecosystem preservation, and watershed remediation is setting up goals as well. Yet governments in consumer hubs must resist calls from industry to delay or reverse environmental legislation.
Impacts of Deforestation on Wildlife
Humans have for millennia been clearing forests to make way for agriculture, livestock grazing and fuelwood production, but recently this process has accelerated dramatically – estimated loss is between 50-75%; estimates are that between 8000 BC to 1900 alone half of global forests were lost, while in just this century another 50%.
Forests that are cut down and burned release carbon into the atmosphere, trapping heat in and contributing to global warming. Furthermore, this reduces biosequestration and negative feedback cycles which help maintain climate stability on Earth – further contributing to desertification, habitat degradation, and animal extinctions.
Forests provide habitats to many endangered animal species as well as shelter, water and food to many rural populations around the world. When habitats disappear, animal populations must struggle for survival in an increasingly hostile world – herbivores in particular suffer due to reduced food sources.
Without access to natural resources, animals become susceptible to predation, hunting, wind and sun exposure and invasion by exotic plant and animal species into remaining forest habitat. Without food, water and shelter they become infertile for reproduction with other members of their population due to increased competition for resources like food and shelter.
Ultimately, if we continue eating meat as a society, deforestation will increase; but if we cut back or eliminate meat consumption altogether, deforestation won’t be required to feed global appetites.
Deforestation threatens habitats that provide essential animal and plant pollinators and ecosystem services, impacting agricultural production and leading to food insecurity. While food security is of utmost importance for our own wellbeing, failure of sustainable food production will have devastating repercussions for families and communities worldwide. Therefore, it’s imperative we continue advocating for policies and practices that support healthy plant-based diets as part of a balanced and nutritious diet plan.
