Many people aren’t aware that deforestation has been an ongoing problem for centuries. This problem has become particularly concerning in the world’s tropical rain forests, which are home to much of the world’s biodiversity. The Amazon rainforest, for example, has lost 17% of its forest cover in the past 50 years. Much of this deforestation is associated with the development of cattle ranching. Remote areas are being encroached on because valuable resources are being discovered. The WWF works with governments, companies, and communities to fight illegal logging and reform trade policies that contribute to deforestation.

Deforestation has many causes. Some countries cut down forests to create furniture and mining operations, while others chop down forests to stop emigration and develop in third world countries. Not only is deforestation harmful to the ecosystem, but it also affects animals’ habitats and life cycles. This is an urgent issue that demands global attention. As of today, deforestation is estimated to consume approximately 11 percent of the world’s forests and is the third-leading cause of global warming.

The carbon released from burning forests is estimated to be between six and 17 percent of all human-caused carbon dioxide. This carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas. The burning of forests releases huge quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The burning of tropical forests releases large amounts of carbon, including water vapor, into the atmosphere. This is why restoring degraded forests is one of the most important ways to combat global warming.

This study shows that despite the global impact of deforestation, there has been no significant increase in the number of eucalyptus trees. In fact, this loss is on the rise in Brazil and other Brazilian states. A recent study showed that deforestation increased by 30 percent in Brazil, equivalent to the size of South Africa. The data show that the Amazonian rainforest is rapidly deforested.

The global agreement, signed in Paris, outlines how to fight deforestation through an international compact. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that this global accord will come to fruition, because of deep political divides in many countries. The UNEP has therefore expanded its tactics to include major development agencies. The World Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the United Nations Development Programme all partner with the UN-REDD program, the UN’s knowledge and advisory program on forests and climate change. UNEP is the largest provider of REDD+ assistance.

Deforestation affects the natural habitat of wild animals and birds. Despite its negative environmental effects, humans have used deforestation for thousands of years to cultivate crops and gather other valuable resources. Large forests are essential for maintaining ecosystem functions. By destroying these forests, human civilization has changed from a hunter-gatherer culture to a more agricultural society. It also affects water supply worldwide.

The loss of forests in tropical areas can affect the weather in other parts of the world. According to a NASA study, deforestation in the Amazon affects the rain in the Gulf of Mexico. Similarly, forest loss in Central Africa affects rainfall patterns in the upper and lower U.S. Midwest. Finally, deforestation in Southeast Asia affects rain in China and the Balkan Peninsula.