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According to new research from the University of Maryland and the World Resources Institute’s Global Forest Watch, the world’s tropical primary forests experienced a 10% decrease in size last year. This loss is equivalent to the land area of Switzerland being destroyed globally.
The decline in tropical primary forest accelerated in 2022, despite a commitment by 145 countries the previous year to stop deforestation by 2030. This report reveals that Brazil, even though they signed the COP26 pledge in 2021, had the largest loss of tropical primary forest. Much of this took place during former president Jair Bolsonaro’s final year in office. Bolsonaro has been criticized for disregarding the escalating deforestation rates during his four-year term. Environmentalists argue that illegal loggers, ranchers, and gold miners took advantage of the anticipated election defeat to maximize their profits.
Deforestation in Brazil is a significant concern. The country loses an area of tree cover equivalent to Belgium every year. Tropical forests store large amounts of carbon dioxide, and deforestation contributes significantly to global emissions. The report states that 11 football fields of primary tropical forests disappeared per minute in 2022, releasing carbon dioxide equivalent to India’s annual fossil fuel emissions.
Other countries, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Bolivia, also experienced major losses due to agriculture-related deforestation. Brazil saw a 20% increase in losses of primary tropical forests unrelated to fires, reaching their highest level since 2005. Criminal groups were behind this surge in deforestation activity. In the western Amazon, deforestation hotspots were concentrated around roads, primarily for cattle pastures.
However, there are signs of progress. Brazil’s new president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has vowed to crack down on illegal deforestation and has increased resources and financial support for environmental protection agencies. In April, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon fell by almost 70% compared to the previous year, suggesting a positive shift in the country’s environmental trajectory.
On the other hand, Ghana saw a nearly 70% increase in primary forest loss in 2022 due to activities such as cocoa production, gold mining, and fires. These losses occurred within protected woodland areas. Malaysia and Indonesia, however, have seen a decline in tropical primary forest loss in recent years, with Indonesia experiencing a 75% decrease since 2016.
Overall, the global loss of tree cover, including both natural and man-made forests, decreased by about 10% last year. This decrease was mainly due to fewer forest fires in Russia. However, the World Resources Institute warns that forest fires are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change. These fires now burn almost twice as much tree cover as they did 20 years ago.
Market forces driving deforestation continue to be stronger than efforts to protect woodlands. It is crucial to address the underlying causes of deforestation and take action to preserve our planet’s forests.
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