Deforestation significantly threatens more than 50% of the world’s forests, mainly concentrated in five nations, triggering a climate crisis that underscores the global imbalance.
This phenomenon is intensified due to climate change, the increase in global consumption, and the pressure on natural resources driven by international markets.
According to Diana Colomina, leader of the forest program at WWF, more than 54% of the world’s forests, equivalent to about 4 billion hectares, are located in Brazil, Canada, the United States, Russia, and China.
These countries face increasing pressures from agricultural expansion, resource exploitation, and the demand for raw materials.
The main concern is not just the disappearance of forests, but the speed at which it occurs. According to the FAO, an average of 10.9 million hectares of forest are lost each year in the last decade, equivalent to more than 15 million football fields.
Deforestation in five countries
This phenomenon mainly affects tropical regions of America, Africa, and Asia, where forests are transformed into crops and pastures to meet an increasingly demanding agri-food system.
The concentration of more than half of the world’s forests in just five countries makes these regions crucial for the climatic balance of the planet, but also makes them vulnerable to the fate of these ecosystems.
The expansion of the agri-food sector stands out as the main cause of deforestation. The resulting products are mainly destined for international markets, especially in Europe and China.
The European Union is recognized as responsible for approximately 16% of imported deforestation, highlighting its role in the global context.
In response, the EU implemented the EUDR regulation in 2023, focused on deforestation-free products. However, it faces challenges, such as pressure from the United States to soften the regulation, according to Greenpeace.
Apart from deforestation, forest degradation is a less visible but equally crucial problem. This process involves the alteration of forest quality, affecting its ability to function as carbon sinks and its biodiversity.
Forests are vital for biodiversity, hosting more than two-thirds of terrestrial species. Their loss can trigger the collapse of entire ecosystems, threatening both nature and the global economy.
In summary, it is not only about protecting forests but addressing a structural problem that requires broad and sustainable solutions.
