by Ralph Bianculli, CEO and Founder of Emerald Ecovations

An intricate web sustains diverse life and ecosystems on our planet, and at its heart lies the world’s forests. These lungs of the Earth are vital players in the global climate system and bastions of biodiversity. Despite their clear importance, these critical sanctuaries are under threat. Deforestation unravels the very fabric of life, with consequences rippling across climates, species, and communities.

As an executive in the paper and pulp industry, deforestation began to nag at my conscience. Sometime in the late ‘80s, I began investigating the material and chemical makeup of all the household items we produced, from tissues to toilet paper. What I found was disheartening. We used virgin tree fibers and drove deforestation in our manufacturing when we didn’t need to.

Timber, trade, and tragedy at the root of deforestation

Deforestation is a global crisis. According to recent estimates, the world loses an area of forest equivalent to the size of a football field every six seconds. This relentless assault has profound implications, not only for the ecosystems directly involved but for the entire planet.

The persistence of deforestation is primarily driven by a complex interplay of economic, social, and political factors that outweigh conservation efforts in many regions around the globe. Economically, deforestation is driven by the global demand for timber and agricultural land. Forests are often cleared for cash crops such as palm oil, soy, and cattle ranching. The financial incentives for landowners and governments to convert forests into agricultural or developed land are significant and offer immediate economic benefits that, in the short term, supersede the long-term ecological costs. This economic rationale is particularly compelling in developing countries, where agriculture remains a cornerstone of the economy and a critical source of livelihood for a large portion of the population.

Social and political factors also play a crucial role in continuing deforestation. In many cases, governance issues, such as lack of enforcement of environmental regulations, corruption, and land disputes, undermine efforts to combat deforestation. Additionally, the global nature of supply chains means that the consumption patterns of developed nations drive deforestation in distant countries, disconnecting consumers from the environmental impact. Despite increasing awareness and concern, the political will to address these root causes of deforestation often lags behind, hampered by competing economic interests and the globalized nature of the problem.

Felling our future despite the clear-cut connection between forests and climate change

Forests act as carbon sinks. That means they absorb more carbon dioxide than they emit, which is critical in mitigating climate change.

Up to 1.8 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide emissions were linked to primary forest loss in 2019. That is comparable to 400 million cars’ annual emissions.

About 30 percent of the carbon emissions we generate as we burn fossil fuels are absorbed by forests. When a tree is cut down, two disastrous things occur. The tree’s sequestered carbon dioxide is released, and the tree can no longer absorb carbon dioxide in the future. It’s a one-two punch to the planet that is not sustainable.

Biodiversity leaves with the trees

Forests are diverse habitats. In fact, tropical forests harbor 62% of the planet’s land-dwelling vertebrates, twice the amount that calls any other terrestrial biome home.

Forests don’t grow overnight; they take centuries to mature. It is in these mature forests that wildlife thrives.

Deforestation significantly impacts the planet’s biodiversity, with one of the most unfortunate consequences being the loss of habitat for millions of species. When forests are cleared, it disrupts the ecological balance, affecting vital parts of an ecosystem such as pollination pathways, freshwater supplies, seed dispersal, and climate regulation. This habitat destruction dramatically reduces species diversity and abundance, pushing many species towards endangerment or extinction. According to a report by the Science Panel for the Amazon, more than 10,000 species of plants and animals are at high risk of extinction due to the destruction of the Amazon rainforest.

The social impact of deforestation: How tree loss affects people and communities

The ravages of deforestation directly impact human societies, particularly those living in and around these wooded areas. Many indigenous communities rely on forests for their livelihood, culture, and survival. The depletion of these environments threatens their way of life, leading to conflict, displacement, and the loss of cultural heritage.

Furthermore, deforestation has direct implications for global food security. Forests play a crucial role in regulating water cycles; their destruction affects rainfall patterns and water availability for agricultural purposes.

Additionally, Forests are home to a vast array of plants and animals, many of which are vital for pollination, pest control, and maintaining soil fertility. Deforestation disrupts these ecological services, affecting crop yields and food diversity. Furthermore, clearing forests for agricultural expansion often involves cultivating a narrow range of crops, which can lead to soil degradation and a decrease in land productivity over time. This shift affects not only the quantity and quality of food available but also the nutritional diversity of diets, particularly in rural areas where people rely heavily on forest resources for their dietary needs.

Turning over a new leaf to reverse deforestation trends worldwide

Deforestation is a worldwide problem requiring global solutions. The most viable strategies involve deforestation regulation, changing consumer buying habits, and new technologies that allow Tree-Free products to be produced at scale.

From a regulation perspective, the UN is part of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests to stop deforestation globally. Significant changes like this also often start with government regulation and intervention to enhance these changes.

To change consumer buying habits, we need to educate. Most consumers don’t realize that it takes 32 million trees annually to make our coffee cups or that 27,000 trees are felled daily for our toilet paper consumption in the US alone. What is even more important to know is that we don’t need trees to make paper. We can use grasses like bamboo and miscanthus, as well as agricultural byproducts like bagasse from sugar cane. Once consumers realize the impact their choices of everyday essentials have on the environment, legacy players will be forced to choose alternative solutions.

The scourge of deforestation is an urgent environmental crisis with far-reaching impacts on climate, biodiversity, and human societies. Its continuation spells disaster for the global ecosystem and the delicate balance that sustains life on Earth. However, through concerted efforts encompassing policy changes, conservation initiatives, and shifts in consumer behavior, there is hope. By unearthing the truth about deforestation, we can sow the seeds for a greener, more sustainable future for our planet.