Safeguarding our Forests ??

If tropical deforestation were a country, it would rank third in carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions.

Global Forest Watch

Forests, Trees and the ‘Magic’ of Photosynthesis

Forests are incredible “carbon sinks,” soaking up 7.6 billion metric tonnes of CO? every year—that’s 1.5 times what the U.S. emits annually ( World Resources Institute ). In total, they store a whopping 861 gigatonnes of carbon, which is equivalent to nearly a century’s worth of fossil fuel emissions.

About 30% of the Earth is covered in forests. These forests have an incredible ability to capture carbon dixide and store carbon and help reduce the impact that burning fossil fuels has had on the planet.

As sunlight reaches the leaves of trees (and plants) they absorb carbon dioxide from the air (through photosynthesis) and release oxygen back into the atmosphere. As the trees grow, they store this carbon in their roots, plant matter (like trunks and branches) as well as in the soil.

If not for trees, much of this carbon dioxide would remain in the atmosphere, where it would add to the amount of global warming gases causing global climate change.

DID YOU KNOW? Forests absorb twice as much carbon dioxide as they emit each year (WRI)

Tropical Rainforests: Carbon-Storing and Biodiversity Champions

Tropical rainforests stand out as climate champions; capturing over 50% of the carbon absorbed by plants annually (Britannica Education). The largest of these are located in the Amazon, the Congo Basin and Southeast Asia. These unique ecosystems are home to about 80% of the world’s documented species—from birds and insects to mammals, providing habitats and even medicines that benefit humanity (WWF).

Rainforests, Deforestation & Climate Impact

The FAO defines deforestation as ′the conversion of forest to other land use, whether this conversion is human-induced or not.′

Deforestation alone accounts for 12–20% of global greenhouse gas emissions (LSE). When forests are cleared, all the stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere, adding to global warming.

The Amazon, the Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia are the biggest hotspots for deforestation, with Brazil and Indonesia alone responsible for nearly half of all tropical forest loss (European Parliament; Our World in Data). Every year, around 4 million hectares of forest are lost globally, 95% of which happens in the tropics (Our World in Data). This includes areas degraded by unsustainable practices like converting forests into plantations.

Main Drivers of Rainforest Loss

Agriculture is the primary cause of rainforest deforestation, with at least 75% of global deforestation driven by agricultural.

Leading the charge is beef production, responsible for an astonishing 40% of forest loss worldwide. In Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay, beef and soy production alone account for more than two-thirds of habitat loss. Since 75% of soy grown globally becomes livestock feed, demand for meat also drives soy expansion (Our World in Data). Logging for timber, paper, and pulp adds to the deforestation pressure.

Protecting Rainforests

Preserving existing mature forests will have an even more profound effect on slowing global warming in the coming decades, since immature trees sequester far less CO2 than older ones.

Bill Moomaw , (lead author on five reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)) (Source: Yale Environment 360).

Urban Trees: Cooling Cities and Lifting Spirits

Urban trees do more than beautify our cities—they’re essential for cooling, air quality, and mental well-being. Through shade and evapotranspiration (a process where water evaporates from leaves, cooling the surrounding air), urban trees can make cities up to 3°C cooler than areas without greenery (Source: Nature.com).

Trees also work as natural air purifiers, absorbing CO? and pollutants, making city air healthier. Many cities now embrace these nature-based solutions to combat urban heat and enhance livability, as exposure to greenery has been linked to reduced stress and increased relaxation (Source: Nature.com).

The Miyawaki Method: Mini-Urban Forests

The Miyawaki method offers a unique way to rapidly green urban areas. This approach, developed by Japanese ecologist Akira Miyawaki, transforms small plots into dense, native mini-forests within 10-20 years.

Miyawaki forests grow 10x faster, are 30x denser, and bring 100x more biodiversity than conventional tree planting. Their rapid growth and low maintenance make them ideal for cities aiming to boost resilience (Source: SUGi).

Agroforestry: A Sustainable Solution

What is Agroforestry?

Agroforestry is a land-use approach that integrates trees with crops or livestock, enhancing biodiversity, improving soil health and capturing more carbon than traditional farming systems. By combining different species and natural processes, it helps combat climate change and boost resilience (Forest Service).

Climate Benefits of Agroforestry

• Resilient Food Production: Agroforestry allows plants, trees, and animals to coexist symbiotically, leading to higher productivity and benefiting ecosystems (Soil Association).

• Climate Change Mitigation: Agroforestry captures significant carbon, with the potential to sequester up to 0.31 billion metric tons of CO? annually (The Nature Conservancy). Silvopasture— grazing with trees — sequesters more carbon than pasture alone, supporting long-term carbon storage.
• Biodiversity Boost: These systems create habitats for various species, countering the steep biodiversity loss highlighted by the WWF, which reported a 73% drop in wildlife populations over the last 50 years (WWF).
• Soil Health: Tree roots prevent erosion, and leaf litter enriches soil with organic matter, boosting soil fertility and health (Forest Service).
• Water Management: Trees help filter water and prevent runoff, supporting clean waterways and reducing flood risk (Penn State University).

Organisations and Communities Fighting to Save Rainforests

Indigenous communities, long-recognised as rainforest stewards, help prevent deforestation. Deforestation rates are often lower where Indigenous land rights are secure, offering a powerful solution to rainforest conservation (Forbes).

• Cool Earth provide indigenous communities with the technology that can help protect forests.
• Rainforest Connection (RFCx) uses old mobile phones strapped to trees to get alerts on illegal logging taking place.
• Organisations like WWFand Rainforest Alliance work alongside Indigenous groups to implement conservation strategies and protect vast rainforest areas.

Protecting Rainforests: New EU Regulations

The European Union has proposed a regulation to restrict imports tied to deforestation. This “deforestation-free” rule would ban products like cattle soy, palm oil, coffee and livestock feed linked to deforestation from entering EU markets.

What to Read

Not the end of the World by Hannah Ritchie , Deputy Editor at the Our World in Data organisation. This book will transform how you see our biggest environmental problems – and how we can solve them.

Ways to Support Forests

• Reduce meat consumption—especially beef. Meatless Mondays is an easy way to start.
• Use less paper and avoid packaging where possible. Choose recycled paper instead of virgin paper and looking for FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification to ensure it comes from sustainable forests.
• Support campaigns that aim to eliminate unnecessary palm oil use such as in biofuels and cosmetics.
• Choose products with @Rainforest Alliance certification, which supports sustainable farming practices to protect rainforests
• Vote for candidates committed to environmental policies and sustainability initiatives.
• Advocate for green projects: Participate in public consultations and support policies that promote urban forestry and sustainable city planning.
• Join local tree-planting initiatives or create a green space in your yard or community. Trees help improve air quality, reduce heat in urban area and are important wildlife habitats.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

The Green Fridays Team

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