What Are the Major Causes of Deforestation?

Did you know that 17% of the Amazon rainforest has been lost in the last 50 years due to deforestation? Forests cover 31% of the land area on our planet and about 80% of the world's land-based species live in forests. Not only do forests provide a home to many species, but many of the plants that help make medicines used to treat diseases such as cancer are found in the rainforests. Additionally, forests play a critical role in mitigating climate change as the trees soak up carbon dioxide that would otherwise be free in the atmosphere. These reasons, amongst many others is why it's essential we start taking a stand to help fight against deforestation.

4 Major Commodities Responsible for Deforestation

Deforestation contributes to 10% of the total heat-trapping emissions and the accelerated release of carbon dioxide is accelerating global warming. The following list will discuss the four most prominent causes of tropical deforestation.

1. Beef Cattle: Converting forests to pasture for beef cattle is responsible for destroying 2.71 million hectares of tropical forests each year.

2. Soybeans: Every year 480,000 hectares of land is deforested for soy in major soy-producing tropical countries.

3. Palm Oil: About 270,000 hectares of land is deforested annually to make room for palm oil plantations. Additionally the peatlands in these plantations has contributed to the most global warming emissions out of any other commodity besides beef.

4. Wood Extraction: Wood production has been shown to cause around 380,000 hectares of deforestation annually.

Deforestation is becoming a major threat to our environment and unethical palm oil consumption is one of its leading causes. Be the change. Fight to end deforestation. Contact us to learn more about how you can help!