The world’s rain forests could completely vanish in a hundred years at the
current rate of deforestation.
Forests are cut down for many reasons, but most of them are related to money
or to people’s need to provide for their families.The biggest driver of
deforestation is agriculture. Farmers cut forests to provide more room for
planting crops or grazing livestock. Often many small farmers will each clear a
few acres to feed their families by cutting down trees and burning them in a
process known as “slash and burn” agriculture.
Logging operations, which provide the world’s wood and paper products, also
cut countless trees each year. Loggers, some of them acting illegally, also
build roads to access more and more remote forests—which leads to further
deforestation. Forests are also cut as a result of growing urban sprawl.
Not all deforestation is intentional. Some is caused by a combination of
human and natural factors like wildfires and subsequent overgrazing, which may
prevent the growth of young trees.
current rate of deforestation.
Forests are cut down for many reasons, but most of them are related to money
or to people’s need to provide for their families.The biggest driver of
deforestation is agriculture. Farmers cut forests to provide more room for
planting crops or grazing livestock. Often many small farmers will each clear a
few acres to feed their families by cutting down trees and burning them in a
process known as “slash and burn” agriculture.
Logging operations, which provide the world’s wood and paper products, also
cut countless trees each year. Loggers, some of them acting illegally, also
build roads to access more and more remote forests—which leads to further
deforestation. Forests are also cut as a result of growing urban sprawl.
Not all deforestation is intentional. Some is caused by a combination of
human and natural factors like wildfires and subsequent overgrazing, which may
prevent the growth of young trees.