Climate change: World way off target to end deforestation

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and deforestation is an essential aspect of this tremendous challenge. Unfortunately, the world is way off target when it comes to stopping deforestation. According to a recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the existing efforts to preserve forests are far too few and far too ineffective to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius, a target that is set by the Paris Climate Agreement.

Deforestation is responsible for almost 10% of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions. In other words, when forests are cut down, the trees release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to the warming of the planet. Reducing deforestation is vital if we want to address climate change.

The IPCC report says that many organizations and governments have tried to end deforestation over the last decade, but to little effect. Though some countries have made significant strides in ending illegal deforestation, more needs to be done because deforestation continues to occur at an alarming rate. The world still loses about 10 million hectares of forest every year, which is equivalent to losing a football pitch of forest every second.

To tackle this problem, we need to adopt an approach that includes the rights of indigenous people. Research shows that areas governed by indigenous people are less likely to be deforested than those that aren’t. Indigenous people play an essential role in keeping forests intact because they have a direct interest in their preservation. The world needs to support these communities and enable them to secure legal control over their lands.

In conclusion, deforestation is a crucial issue that arises in the context of climate change, and we need to do a better job of tackling it. Our planet cannot sustain this level of deforestation indefinitely. If we don’t take immediate action, we risk losing not only the beauty of these forests but also their essential role in mitigating climate change and preserving biodiversity.