There's a flicker of hope for the world's rainforests, but it's sadly being overrun by some sad news revealed in the same report.
The good news is that new data from the University of Maryland's GLAD Lab, available on the World Resources Institute's Global Forest Watch platform, reveals a significant decline in primary forest loss for two key countries: Brazil and Colombia.
This positive development is a testament to the power of political will and policy changes of those country’s respective Governments and voting electorate.
These two nations saw substantial reductions in primary forest loss in 2023 – Brazil by 36% and Colombia by a staggering 49% - meaning more of the world’s precious resource of pristine rainforest was saved from potential destruction.
Unfortunately the global picture remains grim: Despite these bright spots, the overall rate of tropical forest loss shows little improvement.
A colossal 3.7 million hectares of primary forest vanished in 2023, roughly the size of Switzerland, or all of the National Parks in the contiguous United States combined.
To put a bit more perspective on this, it equates to around 10 football (soccer) pitches vanishing every minute.
The urgency of tackling this is undeniable - and is also a commitment of 200 or so Governments around the world. Building on their pledge at COP26 in Glasgow to stop deforestation this decade, world leaders at COP28 in Dubai set a more specific goal: to halt and reverse forest loss and degradation by 2030.
Rainforests matter because of the huge impact they have on the climate around the world:
- Climate Warriors: They absorb and store vast amounts of carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas, and so their destruction fuels climate change.
- Water Guardians: Rainforests regulate rainfall patterns at a global level as well as maintaining water supplies for millions. Their loss disrupts these cycles, jeopardising water security.
And that’s before we even talk about their role as biodiversity bastions: They teem with life, boasting unparalleled biodiversity. Deforestation destroys these ecosystems and threatens countless species with extinction.
When it came to countries where deforestation had increased, two countries stood out as particularly worrying - The Democratic Republic of Congo and Bolivia. The report states:
“While the news out of Brazil and Colombia points to a positive trend of political leaders prioritising nature, the story is not consistent around the world. For example, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Bolivia trail behind Brazil as the top contributors to total global forest loss, and – unlike Brazil – both saw increases in 2023.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, which lost over half a million hectares of primary rainforest in 2023, is notable given that the Congo Basin is the last remaining major tropical forest which remains a carbon sink, meaning the forest absorbs more carbon than it emits. While the rate in 2023 increased by only 3%, the continued small increase over many years adds up over time.
In Bolivia, primary forest loss increased by 27% in 2023, reaching its highest year on record for the third year in a row. Bolivia had the third most primary forest loss of any tropical country, despite having less than half the forest area of either the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Indonesia. Fire-related loss accounted for just over half (51%) of Bolivia’s total loss in 2023 as record hot weather caused human-set fires to spread into forests. Agricultural production – notably soybeans – is also a primary driver of deforestation across the country.”
So, what can be done? Well, the following is a list of things we can all take as individuals - actions that ultimately all help make small (but collectively huge) impact in helping prevent deforestation:
- Reduce Meat Consumption: Opt for non-meat meals more often. The livestock industry is a major driver of deforestation, particularly in the Amazon, as forests are cleared for grazing and feed crops. Even if you buy locally sourced meat, there can be a knock on effect meaning someone somewhere down the chain ends up buying meat sourced from huge Amazonian livestock farms as a result. Less meat is also a great way to lower your carbon footprint, as meat production drives significant CO2e emissions.
- Choose Sustainable Products: Look for items certified by credible organisations, such as the Rainforest Alliance or FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), which ensure products you buy come from responsibly managed forests.
- Support Rainforest Charities: Donate to or volunteer with charities actively working to preserve rainforests. These organisations often protect land, support indigenous communities, and influence policy changes. Switch2Zero also has tools that allow you to plant trees via certified organisations that help counter tree loss in regions like rainforests.
- Minimise Paper and Wood Consumption: Use digital options whenever possible and choose recycled products. When purchasing wood products, ensure they are certified sustainable.
- Share your action and Concern: Raise awareness about the importance of rainforests and how individual actions can contribute to their conservation. Share information through social media, blogs, or discussions. It can help inspire others to take similar actions as you are doing.
- Engage Politically: Writing to political representatives can be effective, especially if it's part of a larger coordinated campaign. Express your concern about rainforest conservation and ask for policies that protect these critical ecosystems, support sustainable practices, and address climate change. If enough people all write...
So while the overall picture of deforestation remains bleak, there is one shoot of hope springing from the ground.
And that is, where there is a will there’s a way - and the political activism of voters forcing Government policy changes in Brazil and Colombia shows what people power can do.
So, as with a lot of climate change issues - it remains within the realms of humanity to save the world’s rainforests - and protect ourselves from the dangerous outcome climate change threatens. But will we take up the call?
