3.3 Deforestation

” Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people”

Franklin D. Roosevelt

In text 3.2 Carbon Dioxide, I realized that humanity is destroying one of its biggest assets when it comes to fighting CO2 in the atmosphere. The forests!!!! It is said that they contain around 861 gigaton of CO2. Furthermore, they absorb double as much CO2 than they deduced in the last two decades[1].

And yet deforestation is happening in such a rapidly pace, that it is estimated that 27 soccer fields of forests are being chopped down per minute. 27 SOCCER FIELDS PER MINUTE[2]. This number is just incomprehensible for me to grasp, because it sounds so crazy.

None the less apparently, we are losing around 10 million of hectares of forest every year[3], of the 4 billion hectares of forests we have left in the world. The 4 billion hectares equals 31 percent of the world’s land area[4], and in 2020 it was estimated that half of these 31 percent is found in only five countries, Brazil, Canada, China, Russia and the USA[5]. See the map below.

Verdens skove i tal - Træ.dk (trae.dk) FAOs globale skovkort med klimazoner. Kilde FAO.

The map shows the different types of forests that exists in the world, tropical, subtropical, temperate and boreal forests, which again can be divided into further subgroups. At the moment it is especially the tropic forests that are being chopped down. Seven million hectares of tropical forests are according to FAO being deforested every year. It is approximately the same area as a whole soccer field, every 3rd second[6]. Please just take a moment to take that information in. THE SAME AREA AS A WHOLE SOCCER FIELD EVERY 3RD SECOND. I am little bit lost for words after this information.

The deforestation that takes place today in the tropical rainforests accounts for 8% of the world’s greenhouse gas emission, which would rank 3rd in CO2 emissions after China and the US[7]. This is due to the fact that the forests fires that are used to deforest an area, releases a huge amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, that was prior bound by the trees and the forest floor. Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bolivia, Indonesia and Peru were the top five countries with the biggest loss of tropical natural forest due to deforestation in 2020[8].

According to FAO[9] the definition of a forest is

an area of at least ½ acre with trees, that can become over 5 meters high and where the crown of the trees covers at least 10 percent of the area with trees[10].

FAO also consider plantations and working forests as forest[11], which I find problematic, because these types of forests are not able to store as much CO2 as the natural primary forest. It can sometimes take years before they can become effective carbon sinks[12] and time is not in favor of humanity at the moment, when it comes to CO2 emission. The natural primary forest[13] are ancient carbon dense ecosystems, and can be found in the Amazons, the Bialowieza forest in Polen and the tropics at Papua Ny Guinea and are estimated to be only 1/3 of the world’s forest cover[14].

The role of the forest

The worlds forest plays a vital part of our very existing and I really like this quote from Vandana Shiva when it comes to how we should regard the roles of the trees in this world.

“When you did the breathing this morning, that breath is your connection to all of the oxygen that the tree’s gives us. That’s why breathing in and breathing out is a gratitude to our relationship, you are, therefore I am. The trees are, therefore we are.”

It is said that a healthy old tree with its natural leafy crown can produce a day’s supply of oxygen for two to 10 people through the photosynthesis process[15]. Though trees are not the only ones that we need to be grateful for, when it comes to our breathing, because the ocean’s phytoplankton are creating half of earth’s oxygen[16]. But more on that in another blogpost later.

The forests still play’s other major roles here on this planet.

The forests areas create an enormous carbon stock, that regulates earths weather and climate[17].

It plays a very important role in the Earths water circuit[18], where the forests are holding on to the water like a sponge and is therefore also very important for the water supplies in big parts of the world[19].

They hold on to soil and nutrients and hereby prevent erosion where the soil is being washed out and washed away[20].

It is the home of 90 % of the world’s animal species[21].

250 million people live in the forests and almost 2 billion people are directly depending on them for their livelihoods[22]

Global forests hold treasured for curing multiple diseases. 25% of Western drugs used to treat diseases such as bronchitis, rheumatism, diabetes, and tuberculosis, as well as nearly one in four cancer-fighting drugs, come from the rainforest. And yet, pharmaceutical companies have only scratched the surface. It is estimated that, to date, less than 1 % of all rainforest plants have been tested for their medical properties[23]

And there are many more reasons why our forests are so important[24]. And yet we are destroying these beautiful forests and for what???

Once again, I am finding myself a little bit discouraged about this text, because what can I do about this, here from Denmark. We hardly have any real forests left in here, because in Europe, we already destroyed our own in the name of economic growth.

So, I am guessing I have to go into debt with reasons for deforestation, to get the full understanding of this terrifying pace, that we are destroying the worlds remaining forests with.

Why deforestation and what can we do about it?

So, why do we do it? What is the purpose of destroying something so important for our future existing? According to some experts it is believed that even though there are a lot of different local factors behind the reasons for deforestation, the main reason for deforestation is that THE FORESTS ARE WORTH MORE MONEY DEAD THAN ALIVE[25] . Deforestation is done to create open land for the purpose of making space for agriculture such as palm oil plantations, rubber plantations, the soya production, domestic animal grazing and to get wood for fuel, paper, manufacturing and construction, mining and subsistence agriculture[26].

In my opinion this means that as long as we as consumers are willing to pay for the things/products that derives from these productions that are causing the deforestation around the globe. Deforestation will continue, especially the ones of the natural primary forests, that is occurring in the tropics at the moment.

But let’s take a closer look at the reasons for deforestation and some thoughts about how to limit it.

Subsistence agriculture

Subsistence agriculture is farming for survival, where the farmers grow the crops to meet the need for a year’s food for themselves and their family[27]. One can hardly think that growing food is wrong, when it is based on survival needs and this is why it is prioritized as no. 1. Maybe the subsistence agriculture could be done in a smarter way, so that instead of deforesting a new area all the time, they could work with crop rotation on the area that they already have. Focus on permaculture, where the food can be grown amongst the trees, or this new thing I just learned about the other day “Miyawaki-forests”. This is were you plant small forest down to 16 sqm, that consist of native trees. They will be planted very close in optimal soil condition, so that the trees will grow much faster and give room for more biodiversity than normal forests. In that way the forest will give shade and increase the earths’ ability to hold on to the water[28]

Palm oils

According to FAO, converting forest into crop areas is one of the biggest reasons for the loss of the world’s forests. 50 % of the global deforestation is primarily due to production of palm oil and soja beans[29]. It is calculated that in Denmark, we are importing 1,6 million tons of soy protein and 160.000 ton of palm oil, that together stands for a CO2 emission on 7 million ton. Wow, this is crazy[30].

On a global scale the palm oil plantations covers an area that is 6 times bigger then Denmark[31]. Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil that is used in around 50% of products, that consumers purchase and use on a daily basis. It is used in the manufacture of prepackage food, cosmectics, cleaning products, hair care, soaps and personal care items and candles[32]. So why can’t we as consumers not just avoid them? Well, I will send you on to this webpage Names for palm oil - PALM OIL INVESTIGATIONS which shows a list of almost 200 different names that Palm oil is allowed to be called in consumer products instead of just palm oil. It is completely crazy, that there isn’t some sort of law that says if it has palm oil in it, it has to have a clear label that says produced with palm oil, instead of all these names. Because no one has the time to go through 200 names for every product they buy in the supermarket.

Despite an international focus on the environmental consequences, Denmark per year imports more than 160.000 ton of palm oil, for foods and cleaning products. It is the most used form of vegetable oil in the world and especially in Europe and in Indonesia there has been an increasing demand for palm oil for the production of biofuel[33]. So, I am guessing that demands won’t go down in the future, which is a problem and as long as there is no form of label on the product that palm oil is in it, I think there will be no solutions to this problem. Unfortunately.

Soya beans

According to Greenpeace, it is not the soya milk from our coffees that is the problem, but rather the meat and dairy industry, that keeps the chainsaws going in the rainforest[34]. Denmark is a major importer off soy for animal food and approximate 90 – 95% of it goes to feed pigs, cattle, chickens and other animals in the Danish agriculture[35]. Even though half of Denmark’s own soil is being used to make crops for animal feeding, it is not enough and the Danish agriculture is still responsible for seizing 7829 km2 of land outside of the Danish border – especially in South America – for producing soy for animal feeding. We are 5.9 million citizens in Denmark and in Denmark we have the world record as the country with the highest meat production per citizen. An example is the pig production, where it is estimated that around 32 million pigs are produced each year, and they need a lot of food[36]. To stop deforestation, we have to stop the import of soy and turn down the meat production in Denmark. But since the Danish agriculture is in such a large debt to its creditors, (in 2021 the debt was on 297 billion d.kr.[37]), I don’t think that neither the farmers or their creditors are interested in smaller productions of meat, they will just export the meat and in worst case, export the animals while they are still alive, under poor conditions. I think that the solution to this problem has to come from the individual person here, by going plant based or even vegan. Because if they can’t earn money on it, they will have to close down the farm factories and search for another way to make a living.

Domestic animal grazing

Another reason for deforestation is the domestic animal grazing for meat production, which is behind almost 40% of the global deforestation[38]. And this area it is not just the deforestation that is contributing to the global CO2 emission, but there is actually being added more CO2 while the ruminants emits methane, which is even more damaging to the environment than CO2[39]. So not only will the area, that was previous a carbon reservoir due to the trees holding on to the CO2 in the ground, disappear when they are chopped down, but it will also emit methane. A potential solution to this problem of animal grazing could be a shift towards cyclical agriculture, where the livestocks are in rotation with the crops. In this way the soil fertility will be maintained and it would avoid overgrazing and reduce the large areas for pastureland[40] Another solution would once again be to go plantbase or vegan, because then one wouldn’t support the meat industry at all.

Urbanization

Urban development and infrastructure, including construction and widening of the roads, is the third biggest reason for deforestation with a little over 6 percent. It is the main reason for deforestation in Europe[41]. The expansion of cities often causes the need for more land for housing and settlements, as well as for construction of roads and other infrastructure to service the city.

Furthermore, as urban areas grow, the populations increasing demands for products like beef and other products from agriculture rises, which can increase deforestation. Not only does urbanization lead to the direct conversion of forested land for urban development and agriculture, but it also indirectly drives deforestation through the increased demand for resources and the displacement of people from urban areas. For example, farmers may be forced to clear forests to gain more acreage for crop production as land becomes scarcer and more valuable due to urban expansion[42].

Like with the subsistence agriculture, I think this is very hard to say something against, because people tend to seek towards the cities in order for livelihoods, which we all need. But what I see here in Denmark, is that people are building new and bigger houses instead of purchasing one of the older houses. This means that a lot of the older houses are decaying instead of being renovated and so much nature is being turned into building plots for new houses. I believe that it is the wrong way to go about things, instead we should be taking good care of the houses that already exists, and maybe start to wrap our head around the fact, that we need to live smaller and smarter. When it comes to infrastructure, the government has just recently raised the prizes on public transport, and yes let me just tell you, that we are in the middle of a climate crisis and this is what they chose to do. More cars on the road and more roads now need to be built for the extra traffic. So, since the politicians are not up for the challenge to lower the prices on public transport and reducing the cars on the road, perhaps the private companies would make the effort on behave of all of us here in Denmark. During the pandemic people were working from home, so maybe if the companies offered their staff to work from home, even if it is just a few days a week, it could take some of the pressure of infrastructure in Denmark, so we wouldn’t need to expand the infrastructure. Because nature wise we can’t really afford to expand. And once again, people should eat more plant based in order to reduce the demands on meat, so that farmers don’t have to find new areas to deforest due to loss of land for urban development.

Logging / wood harvesting

Another activity caused by humans are the overconsumption of wood for fuel and illegal and non-sustainable logging[43]. In Denmark we consume way more trees than we produce. Every year almost 2,1 million m3 of trees are chopped down, but we use around 8 million m3, which is why we import trees from Sweden, Finland and Polen for timber products for construction, furniture, paper, wood for fires and more[44].

There is something called sustainable forestry, which is where the trees are selectively picked and the forests are allowed to regrow. But it takes too long, while unsustainable logging is a multibillion-dollar industry, that with its logging practices destroys millions of hectares of forest land every year, while the demand for low-cost timber products is high.

If the forests are not allowed to regrow, it will often be easier for developers to get permits to clear the land for other purposes like mining, agriculture and settlement[45].

First off we need to reuse materials from wood, the trees are so vital for our existing, that we really need to get in gear with this one. Secondly here in Denmark we need to build more sustainable when it comes to building with wood. If we can’t buy reused material, and need new wood, make sure that it can last at least a hundred years in that building, and to do the extra work, that it may need in order to maintain the buildings woodwork. And educate yourself about where the trees for your floors derives from. If it is natural primary forests, don’t buy it. And for me personally, I really need to reduce my paper use in this category.

Rubber plantations

Natural rubber comes from the rubber tree -Hevea brasiliensis, and is mainly harvested in South Asia with Thailand being the biggest producing country. Closely followed by Indonesia and Malaysia. Rubber trees grows on around 14 million hectares worldwide and the production has been associated with deforestation. The rubber is used for industrial purposes, such as the production of car tires[46].

I haven’t found enough information for any solutions on this area other than to say “This is how much land we are now using on rubber plantations and it is not legal to take any more land out for these plantations.” And get more focus on how to reuse rubber in a larger scale, than it is now.

Mining

According to WWF´s report “Extracted Forests: Unearthing the role of mining-related deforestation as a driver of global deforestation” mining is currently the fourth largest driver of deforestation, affecting up to 1/3 of the world’s forest ecosystem[47]. Apparently 44% (which is equivalent to 1.539 mines) of all operational mines lies in forests, with another 1.826 mines in development or currently inactive[48]. More than 80 % of direct mining related deforestation takes place in just 10 countries with tropical rainforests being most endangered of mining activity. Within the last 20 years mining activities have seen an alarming acceleration, where 1/3 of the mining related deforestation has occurred in just the last five years and the prognose for the future is an increase of the mining activity, such as deforestation for infrastructure, settlements, agriculture trough settlement, water and soil contamination [49].

So why is that? The world is in a hunt for the raw materials for the development of human civilization and the life we live today. We need metals and minerals for our phones, vehicles, cans etc[50]. And as long as nobody seems to take any steps towards limiting their impact of these products, the forests will keep being deforested[51].

As I see it, it is once again a question for us to take care of the products that we already have, such as our phones, cars, etc. so that we don’t change them and ignore hyped brands, that urges you to change your phone because a new and better version has just arrived.

Summarize

First off, like with text 3.2 Carbon Dioxide it has been difficult to find just one place to get the information that I needed regarding the topic “deforestation” and therefor there can appear some accuracy with the numbers. It is written to the best of my ability and with the intention of getting some knowledge of the subject and educate myself further on how my actions can minimize deforestation. I therefore once again recommend that you do your own research, both on the topic and regarding to the numbers 😊.

Secondly, I have to say that there are some solutions that we as a world society need to address all together.

1. We need to stop deforestation of the natural primary forests left in the world. The people in power should come together and stand up as world leaders and take the money out of deforestation. They should declare the rest of the primary forests left in the world nature reserves, where the jobs are, instead of destroying the forests, is to take care of the them, and the animals and the people living in them, funded by a worldwide forest tax.

2. There needs to be laws that forces companies to be visible when it comes to the origin of their products and force them to put a worldwide known label on the products, that says “Deforestation has been involved in producing this product”. Instead off the 200 different names for the word palm oil. In this way we as a consumers can better make the right choice for the forest, in a hectic everyday life.

3. As consumers at the moment, we need to educate ourselves more in how to avoid the different products causing deforestation in the world.

When all that said, I will think the no. 3 gave me a great opportunity to just briefly summarize what it will take for a person like me, in my everyday life to protect the forests?

I think that the best thing we can do to stop deforestation, is to go vegan or plantbased. And if that is not an option for you at the moment, then really get your meat and dairy consumption down to a bare minimum, so you don’t support deforestation, due to domestic animal grazing and the soy production for animal feed.

Don’t chop down the trees in land you own or your back yard. The world is in a desperate need of them. Instead plant some more.

If you need/want to grow food in your garden, don’t cut down the trees, instead try an see if you can incorporate them in your kitchen garden or something.

Make whole foods so that you can avoid palm oil all together in your food, and if that is not an option at the moment, get familiar with some of the names on the Names for palm oil - PALM OIL INVESTIGATIONS – list, so that you can stop buying products where you can recognize the different names they use for palm oil.

Write to all the politicians you can think off, to ask them how they intend to stop deforestation, to get the debate going, and support all the demonstration you can for this important subject.

Buy a house that is already built, and then either use it as it is or renovate it with respect for all the materials that are already in it.

Build small and smart and not big and new.

Take public transport and ask your boss if it is durable to work from home to lower the pressure on the cities infrastructure.

Don’t buy wood that comes from natural primary forests.

Reuse your wooden products or buy reused wood for your projects.

If buying new wood, find out where it is harvested and make sure it can hold for years and years to come, by taking really good care of it.

Minimize your use of paper

Don’t buy new things where you know the components comes from mining, instead find pride and joy in what you already own.

Last but not least – connect your self with nature around you, so that you can have a better understanding of why it is worth protecting. Because even though we are not the ones to start the chainsaws in the forests, our money as consumers keeps them going, if we don’t change it. So, take your power and make the changes.

[1] Hvad betyder skovrydning for klimaet – og er det virkelig muligt at stoppe? (videnskab.dk)

[2] 10 Shocking Statistics About Deforestation | Earth.Org

[3] 10 Shocking Statistics About Deforestation | Earth.Org

[4] https://sustainable.dk/energi/3-skov/

[5] ca8985en.pdf (fao.org)

[6] Fakta om skovene (verdensskove.org)

[7]How banks, deforestation and the climate crisis are linked | Global Witness

[8] Hvad betyder skovrydning for klimaet – og er det virkelig muligt at stoppe? (videnskab.dk)

[9] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

[10] Definitionen på... (naturstyrelsen.dk)

[11] Fakta om skovene (verdensskove.org)

[12] A Carbon sink is anything that absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases.