Deforestation: Deforestation—especially in tropical rainforests like the Amazon, Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia—destroys vital carbon sinks, accelerates climate change, and eliminates habitats for millions of species. Driven by cattle ranching, soy farming, palm oil plantations, and illegal logging, an estimated 10 million hectares of forest are lost annually. Forests regulate rainfall, prevent soil erosion, and support Indigenous communities whose knowledge is key to conservation. The Amazon, nearing a dieback threshold, may soon shift to savanna, releasing vast carbon stores. While reforestation and agroforestry help, they cannot replicate old-growth complexity. Certification schemes (e.g., FSC) and satellite monitoring improve accountability, but enforcement remains weak. Halting deforestation is critical not only for climate mitigation but for preserving Earth’s biological and cultural heritage.
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