Deforestation meaning: Deforestation or forest clearance is the removal of a forest or stand of trees from land that is then converted to non-forest use. Deforestation can involve conversion of forest land to farms, ranches, or urban use.
Ending deforestation is our best chance to conserve wildlife and defend the rights of forest communities as well as help us to bypass other negative effect of deforestation available. On top of that, it’s one of the quickest and most cost effective ways to curb global warming. That’s why we’re campaigning for a deforestation-free future.
Working to end deforestation and forest degradation while helping to restore lost forests is our best chance to solve the climate emergency, protect wildlife, and defend the rights of Indigenous Peoples and traditional local communities. That’s why we are campaigning for more forests tomorrow than there are today.
Greenpeace’s forest campaign historically has called for an end to deforestation but our current climate emergency requires a genuine and just restoration of all natural ecosystems, and reduced degradation of the world’s most critical landscapes.
The threats to nature vary from region to region as parts of the causes of deforestation. For example, in the tropics, agribusiness clears forests to make space for things like cattle ranching, palm oil, and soy plantations for animal feed. Demand for wood products can threaten forests around the world, whether it is for throw-away paper products or hardwood flooring.
In too many parts of the world, ineffective or corrupt governments make things worse by opening the door to illegal logging and other crimes.
1. The Power of the Marketplace
If corporations have the power to destroy the world’s forests, they also have the ability to help save them. Companies can make an impact by introducing and implementing zero deforestation policies that clean up their supply chains.
That means holding their suppliers accountable for producing commodities like timber, beef, soy, palm oil and paper in a way that does not fuel deforestation and has a minimal impact on our climate.
Companies not only must make these policies but they must follow through on these promises, maximize the use of their sphere of influence, and collaborate with other like-minded institutions in their sectors, demanding suppliers transform the way our economy works so that nature is protected and human rights are respected.
Companies should set ambitious targets to maximize the use of recycled wood, pulp, paper and fiber in their products. For the non-recycled products they buy, they should ensure that any virgin fiber used has transparent, credible assurances that it was sourced in a legal way that respects principles of environmental and social responsibility.
Third-party certification like the Forest Stewardship Council can be a starting point in evaluating sourcing. That’s why we’re investigating, exposing and confronting environmental abuse committed by corporations. Thanks to your actions, major companies are changing their ways and building solutions to protect jobs and our forests.
Read Also: The Top Global Trends Driving the Fourth Agricultural Revolution
2. Standing with Indigenous Peoples
Forests around the world have been home to Indigenous Peoples for tens of thousands of years. Evidence shows that when Indigenous Peoples’ rights to traditional lands and self-determination are respected, forests stay standing. But too often, corporations and governments overlook or intentionally trample the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
3. Promoting Sustainable Choices
You can make a difference in the fight to save forests by making informed daily choices. By consuming less, avoiding single-use packaging, eating sustainable food, and choosing recycled or responsibly-produced wood products, we can all be part of the movement to protect forests. Make choices for forests, nature, and people and do so vocally!
4. Changing the Politics
If we’re going to stop deforestation, we need governments to do their part. We need world leaders to embrace ambitious domestic and international forest conservation policies based on the latest science, allowing us to live in a world that avoids severe climate disruption.
Take Action for a Deforestation-Free Future
If you’re ready to join the movement to protect Forests, Wildlife, and Our Climate, here’s some deforestation facts on how you can start:
- Support efforts to amplify the voices of Indigenous Peoples and traditional forest communities.
- Reduce your consumption of single-use products.
- Demand that the forest-derived products you purchase are made from 100% post-consumer recycled content materials and when products are made from virgin forest, demand that the sourcing is done in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.
- Make informed food choices. There is a myriad of reasons to adopt a plant-based diet or reducing your consumption of animal products including the protection of forests and nature.
- Demand that companies commit to reduce deforestation through forest-friendly policies and follow through on those commitments.
- Educate your friends, family, and community about how our everyday actions can impact forests around the world.
- Demand that your governments only source forest commodities in a way that ensures the protection of nature and respects human rights.
- Avoid false solutions like biofuels, biomass, or carbon offsets that rely on wishful thinking, yet in practice release more greenhouse gas emissions.