Destruction of Forests

The world has lost approximately half of its original forest cover since pre-agricultural times.

*About 4 billion trees are cut down every year. Between 1990-95, there was a net global forest loss of 112,600 square kilometers per year (equal to 33 soccer fields per minute).

*Approximately 40% percent of the world's remaining frontier forest is under moderate or high threat.

*31 million hectares of rainforest are destroyed each year, equaling an area larger than Poland.

The main threats to forests come from commercial logging, land clearing (for infrastructure, mining, farms, shopping malls and other development), and the building of roads for logging and mining. Common commercial logging practices, particularly clear-cutting, are not ecologically sustainable. Deforestation affects the quality of water, air and soil. It also destroys the habitat of species living within the forest.

The key to save forests is in restoration, reducing consumption, and redirecting demand towards wood from sustainable forestry practices. You have a very important part to play in creating a better future for forests and all life on Earth. .

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© Khorsheed.com - Apr 2002