Deforestation is the clearing of trees, usually on a large scale. It is a major global issue because forests are home to many of the world’s plants and animals, including endangered species. They also provide essential services like water and air filtration, carbon storage, and soil erosion control.
Most of the world’s forest land is cleared for agriculture and human settlements. There are many direct causes of deforestation, but the biggest ones include logging (cutting down trees for wood products and fuel), agricultural expansion (plantations for crops such as palm oil and soya), and infrastructure development, such as road building.
In tropical areas, the vast majority of deforestation is caused by land conversion to new farming and cattle ranching. A combination of expanding agricultural demand, a shift toward more meat consumption in developed countries, and low domestic prices for farm commodities drive this trend. Often, the construction of roads into forest areas encourages further deforestation as settlers clear and burn the remaining vegetation for cropland and pasture.
IFAW works to stop deforestation in its many forms around the globe. For example, we work to ensure that governments and agribusinesses only use land for sustainable forest products. We also encourage consumers to become mindful of their paper usage, switching to recycled paper, and to avoid purchasing goods that may have come from regions that cause deforestation, such as palm oil. We also work to encourage the governments of nations with rainforests within their borders to respect Indigenous peoples’ sovereignty and consult with them before starting projects that lead to deforestation.