The Domino Effects of Tropical Deforestation
The Domino Effects of Tropical Deforestation
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), we lose over 10 million hectares of forests every single year. That’s the same as losing an area the size of New York’s Central Park every 18 minutes.
In this graphic from our sponsor LEAF Coalition, we take a look at the drastic knock-on effects of tropical deforestation: from significant greenhouse gas emissions and irreversible loss in biodiversity to the impact on the lives of Indigenous Peoples.
Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Economic Sector
When looking at how greenhouse gas emissions break down by sector, the agriculture, forestry, and other land use (AFOLU) sector is responsible for nearly 15% of global emissions.
Moreover, global models estimate that net emissions from land use and land use change are mostly as a result of deforestation.
| Sector | % of Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions, 2019 |
|---|---|
| Energy: Electricity & Heat | 31.8% |
| Agriculture, Forestry, & Other Land Use | 14.9% |
| Energy: Transport | 14.3% |
| Energy: Manufacturing & Construction | 12.7% |
| Energy: Fugitive Emissions | 6.8% |
| Energy: Buildings | 6.2% |
| Industrial Processes | 6.1% |
| Energy: International Bunker | 2.6% |
| Energy: Other Fuel Combustion | 1.2% |
From 2002-2015, a handful of commodities were responsible for 55% of all agriculture-linked deforestation. These include:
- Cattle: 36.7%
- Palm oil: 8.5%
- Soy: 6.7%
- Cocoa: 1.9%
- Coffee: 1.5%
And according to Forest Trends, half of global tropical deforestation occurs illegally as a result of this demand.
Impacts on Nature and People
The damage from tropical deforestation also extends to loss of biodiversity which has significant impacts on Indigenous Peoples and the animal population.
- 50,000: Estimated number of species that become extinct each year due to deforestation.
- 60M: Indigenous Peoples worldwide who completely depend on forests for their livelihoods.
Protecting tropical forests is vital to mitigate these critical losses. Does your business want to do more to fight climate change?
Join the LEAF Coalition, the world’s largest public-private initiative to halt tropical deforestation.
-
Datastream15 hours agoRanked: The World’s 20 Biggest Hedge Funds
This annual ranking shows the world’s largest hedge funds, which collectively hold an estimated $45 trillion in assets under management.
-
VC+23 hours agoJoin Us as We Reveal Game-Changing Predictions for 2023
Get a head start on what’s to come in 2023. Join VC+ to gain access to our 2023 Global Forecast Series and other exclusive insights!
-
Datastream1 day agoDisruptive Materials: Visualizing America’s Import Dependency
A handful of materials are increasingly crucial for the next generation of emerging technologies. But as the data shows, the U.S. is heavily reliant on foreign…
-
Money3 days agoMapped: Which Countries Have the Highest Inflation?
Many countries around the world are facing double or triple-digit inflation. See which countries have the highest inflation rates on this map.
-
Datastream3 days agoThe Rising Demand for Nature-based Climate Solutions
Carbon credits from nature-based solutions are in high demand as organizations look to shrink their carbon footprints.
-
Energy5 days agoMapped: Global Energy Prices, by Country in 2022
Energy prices have been extremely volatile in 2022. Which countries are seeing the highest prices in the world?
