Forests are being replanted

Around 3.3 million hectares of forests are planted every year. This is much less than what is being cut down or burned in a year.  At its current pace, the disappearance of forests on the planet continues at an alarming rate.

But it’s not enough

The speed at which our forests disappear is slowing. But it's still disappearing!

The main reasons for the loss of forests include production of timber, and making room for cattle, soy, and palm oil production.

The growing world population and the expansion of the global consumer class will continue to put pressure on the world's forests unless major steps to secure conservation are taken.

Benefits of reforestation

Huge potential for stopping climate change

Trees absorb CO2 and can therefore help in the fight against global warming. The United Nations’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recommends adding 1 billion hectares of forests to help limit global warming to 1.5° C by 2050. 1 billion hectares is a fourth of the world’s current forest area and equivalent to an area the size of the entire US, China or Canada.

Saving species and supporting biodiversity

Nearly half of Earth's known species live in forests. Especially rainforests are extremely biodiverse. Saving the world's forests will therefore also save many species that otherwise will go extinct.

Forest keep the land healthy and fertile

Forests help ensure the protection of water resources and prevent soil erosion. A large tree can transpire up to 150 tons of water a year and soak up 400 liters of water in a single day. Cutting down forests can eventually turn areas into deserts.

There is hope !

The trend of disappearing forests can be reversed! Data suggests that replanting- and reforestation projects could do it within 30 years.

You can make a difference too

Reversing the trend also put demands on us. We must start asking questions about the things we buy; from furniture and toilet paper to cosmetics and beef, and pick those that are forest-friendly.