# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The dawn chorus of birds singing, monkeys howling, frogs calling and insects buzzing. The crystal clear waterfalls that are perfect for a refreshing afternoon swim. Fireflies illuminating trees at night.
The beauty and tranquility of forests all over the world—from the tropics to the tundra—inspire all of us. We know forests are home to most of the world’s life on land. More than 3 billion people—75% of all people outside urban areas—live within 1 kilometer of a forest, too. And more than one-third of the world’s population has a close dependence on forests and forest products.
But threats to the world’s forests are growing. Expanding agriculture, due to an increased population and shifts in diet, is responsible for most of the world’s deforestation. Illegal and unsustainable logging, usually resulting from the demand for cheap wood and paper, is responsible for most of the degradation of the world’s forests—the largest threat to the world’s forests. In degraded forests, small trees, bushes and plants often are severely damaged or dead; rivers are polluted; slopes are eroded; and more.
The threats are so severe that we are losing huge swathes of forests at an alarming rate. The Amazon, the planet’s largest rain forest, lost approximately 17% of its forest cover in the last half century due to human activity—mainly clearing trees to create new or larger farms and ranches.
WWF is working to address the threats to forests: By 2030, we must conserve the world’s forests to sustain nature’s diversity, benefit our climate and support human well-being.
Most of WWF’s work is being done in tropical rain forests, which are the most biologically diverse and complex forests on Earth—forests in the Amazon, the Congo Basin, the Greater Mekong and other regions near the equator. But it also is taking place in temperate regions, such as the Russian Far East and the United States.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Deforestation and Its Effect on the Planet

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about the manmade and natural causes of deforestation–and how it’s impacting our planet.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
If you're a fan of nature and the environment, you're probably already doing things to take care of the planet - on Earth Day and every day. This month, I've shared ways kids (and families) can help protect wildlife and oceans. Today I'm focusing on ways kids can help save trees.

Forests cover almost a third of the Earth's surface, including some 700+ million acres in the U.S. alone. They're home to a huge variety of plants and animals, provide people all over the world with food, fuel, medicine and more.

But perhaps most important, forests provide us with oxygen and ensure that the Earth's temperature is livable. What can we do to return the favor? Here are some simple ways kids can help save trees.

1. Use paper wisely.
We can save trees from being cut down by using less paper. How can kids help?

Make a space for reusable paper. Dedicate a spot in your home for paper that's blank on one side. Then reuse it before you recycle it. Put the kids in charge!

Use scrap paper (preferably recycled, too) for coloring, drawing, sketching, etc.

Use both sides of paper (this one works great for homework).

Use cloth napkins.

Choose a reusable lunchbox instead of a paper bag, complete with reusable containers, metal utensils, a cloth napkin and a reusable water bottle.

2. Play and create with trash.
The Explorers love playing with cardboard boxes, empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls - even shoeboxes. Boxes can become forts and superhero headquarters, toilet paper rolls turn into binoculars and bird feeders, and paper towel rolls become spotting scopes and periscopes.

3. Borrow, share and donate books.
We read a lot around here, which translates into tons of books - and therefore lots of paper. The library is a great alternative to buying new, as are friends who are willing to swap books. Instead of holding on to books when your kids have outgrown them, donate them to a used bookstore, library or reading program.

4. Plant a tree.
Although planting trees is a popular Earth Day activity, fall is the season to plant trees and shrubs. Do your homework to make sure you pick the right tree for your space.

5. Visit the forest.
Our favorite way to pay homage to trees and forests is to spend time with them. Visit a local state or national park - many of which feature protected forest lands. During National Park week, admission to all 401 national parks is free.

6. Stay on the trails.
When you visit the forest, stay on marked trails. This will minimize your impact on wilderness areas, preserving them for future generations.

7. Get your Smokey on.
Remember Smokey the Bear? He's still around, helping to prevent wildfires - which, by the way are one of the greatest threats to forests. Smokey's message is worth repeating:

Only you can prevent wildfires,

Always be careful with fire,

Never play with matches or lighters,

Always watch your campfire, and

Make sure your campfire is completely out before leaving it.

Resources to Help Kids Discover More About Forests

Plus, a few things I've written about trees here ...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
7 Ways Kids Can Help Save Trees - GoExploreNature.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Forests provide oxygen and ensure that the Earth's temperature is livable. How can we return the favor? Here are some simple ways kids can help save trees.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Save Forests - Greenpeace Southeast Asia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Indonesia's irreplaceable rainforests and carbon-rich peatlands are now being destroyed, join the fight to protect our forests!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Use of paper differs widely between countries

In the USA, Japan, and Europe an average person uses between 200 and 250 kilos of paper every year. In India the figure is 5 kilos, and in some countries it is less than 1 kilo.

Producing 1 kilo of paper requires 2-3 times its weight in trees. If everyone used 200 kilos of paper per year there would be no trees left.

Paper production requires LOTS of water

It takes between 2 and 13 liters of water to produce a single A4-sheet of paper, depending on the mill. The pulp and paper industry is the single largest industrial consumer of water in Western countries.

Recycling of paper works

Each tonne of recycled paper can avoid the use of 17 trees; 1,440 liters of oil; 2.3 cubic meters of landfill space; 4,000 kilowatts of energy and 26,500 liters of water.

Paper is quite simple to recycle, yet 55 percent of the global paper supply comes from newly cut trees.

Top 3 paper producing countries

1. China 117,000,000 tons

2. United States 66,000,000 tons

3. Japan 23,000,000 tons

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Use of paper differs widely between countriesIn the USA, Japan, and Europe an average person uses between 200 and 250 kilos of paper every year. In India ...

# data[].attributes.body
A long documentary about soil

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
กรมพัฒนาที่ดิน แชนแนล LDD Channel

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The choices we make as consumers can make a big difference in protecting forests and creating better lives for the people who live and work in them.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
GIANT PANDAS AND KOALAS NEED YOU!

Climate change will eventually alter where bamboo ( giant pandas' primary food source) and eucalyptus ( koalas' primary food source) can grow, which could shrink habitats in the future. Here's how you can help save energy-and protect these animals:

* Turn off the lights when you leave a room.

* Hang up your freshly washed clothes to dry.

* Walk or bike as much as you can instead of driving.

FLORIDA MANATEES NEED YOU!

Here's how you can protect these marine mammals:

* If you see manatees in the wild, don't give them food or water. Feeding them encourages the mammals to swim too close to boats.

* Stash your trash so manatees won't get entangled in it.

* If you live near water, ask your parents not to use fertilizer on your lawn. It can dump extra nutrients into the water system, creating wildlife-killing algae blooms in rivers and ocean.

GRAY WOLVES NEED YOU!

Here's how you can protect these canines:

* Many people don't know that wolves are in trouble. Write a school report, draw a poster, or just howl about how cool they are to all your friends.

* Keep pets indoors: Conflict between pets and predators makes people less likely to want to protect wolves.

* Learn about how the Endangered Species Act protects gray wolves and other animals in North America and around the world.

GOLDEN LION TAMARINS NEED YOU!

Here's how you can help save these primates:

* Visit zoos approved by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA); part of your entry fee will be donated to conservation causes.

* Look for products that have a label confirming their ingredients were grown in a rainforest-friendly way.

* Work a lemonade stand and donate the proceeds to a group that supports tamarin conservation.

SOUTHERN WHITE RHINOS NEED YOU!

Here's how you can help save rhinos:

* Avoid souvenirs made from endangered animal parts, including rhino horn.

* Tell all your friends about cute rhino calves and why they're in trouble.

* "Adopt" a rhino by saving up your allowance to donate to a rhinoceros conservation organization.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
You can help these critters. Find out how.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Deforestation and Forest Degradation | Threats | WWF

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn how you can help support WWF’s conservation work which addresses direct and indirect threats, including deforestation, in order to conserve biodiversity and reduce humanity’s ecological footprint.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
As global temperatures rise and the human population expands, more of the planet is vulnerable to desertification, the permanent degradation of land that was once arable.

While interpretations of the term desertification vary, the concern centers on human-caused land degradation in areas with low or variable rainfall known as drylands: arid, semi-arid, and sub-humid lands. These drylands account for more than 40 percent of the world's terrestrial surface area.

While land degradation has occurred throughout history, the pace has accelerated, reaching 30 to 35 times the historical rate, according to the United Nations. This degradation tends to be driven by a number of factors, including urbanization, mining, farming, and ranching. In the course of these activities, trees and other vegetation are cleared away, animal hooves pound the dirt, and crops deplete nutrients in the soil. Climate change also plays a significant role, increasing the risk of drought.

All of this contributes to soil erosion and an inability for the land to retain water or regrow plants. About 2 billion people live on the drylands that are vulnerable to desertification, which could displace an estimated 50 million people by 2030.

Where is desertification happening, and why?

The risk of desertification is widespread and spans more than 100 countries, hitting some of the poorest and most vulnerable populations the hardest, since subsistence farming is common across many of the affected regions.

More than 75 percent of Earth's land area is already degraded, according to the European Commission's World Atlas of Desertification, and more than 90 percent could become degraded by 2050. The commission's Joint Research Centre found that a total area half of the size of the European Union (1.61 million square miles, or 4.18 million square kilometers) is degraded annually, with Africa and Asia being the most affected.

The drivers of land degradation vary with different locations, and causes often overlap with each other. In the regions of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan surrounding the Aral Sea, excessive use of water for agricultural irrigation has been a primary culprit in causing the sea to shrink, leaving behind a saline desert. And in Africa's Sahel region, bordered by the Sahara Desert to the north and savannas to the south, population growth has caused an increase in wood harvesting, illegal farming, and land-clearing for housing, among other changes.

The prospect of climate change and warmer average temperatures could amplify these effects. The Mediterranean region would experience a drastic transformation with warming of 2 degrees Celsius, according to one study, with all of southern Spain becoming desert. Another recent study found that the same level of warming would result in "aridification," or drying out, of up to 30 percent of Earth's land surface.

When land becomes desert, its ability to support surrounding populations of people and animals declines sharply. Food often doesn't grow, water can't be collected, and habitats shift. This often produces several human health problems that range from malnutrition, respiratory disease caused by dusty air, and other diseases stemming from a lack of clean water.

Desertification solutions

In 1994, the United Nations established the Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), through which 122 countries have committed to Land Degradation Neutrality targets, similar to the way countries in the climate Paris Agreement have agreed to targets for reducing carbon pollution. These efforts involve working with farmers to safeguard arable land, repairing degraded land, and managing water supplies more effectively.

The UNCCD has also promoted the Great Green Wall Initiative, an effort to restore 386,000 square miles (100 million hectares) across 20 countries in Africa by 2030. A similar effort is underway in northern China, with the government planting trees along the border of the Gobi desert to prevent it from expanding as farming, livestock grazing, and urbanization, along with climate change, removed buffering vegetation.

However, the results for these types of restoration efforts so far have been mixed. One type of mesquite tree planted in East Africa to buffer against desertification has proved to be invasive and problematic. The Great Green Wall initiative in Africa has evolved away from the idea of simply planting trees and toward the idea of " re-greening," or supporting small farmers in managing land to maximize water harvesting (via stone barriers that decrease water runoff, for example) and nurture natural regrowth of trees and vegetation.

"The absolute number of farmers in these [at-risk rural] regions is so large that even simple and inexpensive interventions can have regional impacts," write the authors of the World Atlas of Desertification, noting that more than 80 percent of the world's farms are managed by individual households, primarily in Africa and Asia. "Smallholders are now seen as part of the solution of land degradation rather than a main problem, which was a prevailing view of the past."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Humans are driving the transformation of drylands into desert on an unprecedented scale around the world, with serious consequences. But there are solutions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Excellency, Abdulrahman Al Fadhley, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture of the KSA Excellency Salam Al Malik, Director General of ISESCO, Excellency Hussein Brahim Taha, SG of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Excellencies, Ministers Esteemed delegates, and honored guests Ladies and gentlemen, As-Salaamu aleykum As we gather today in the beautiful city of Jeddah, I wish to express our profound appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for graciously hosting this gathering today. My appreciation extends to ICESCO, the linchpin behind our convening today. Now more than ever before, as we witness the catastrophic effects of environmental changes, redefining our relationships with nature is of critical importance. Allow me to bring to your attention the Centrality of sustainable land management to green transformation. Land is not merely the terrain beneath our feet. Land has always been the cradle of our civilizations. Land provides us with the essential food we eat. Land clothes us; land provides us with the water we drink and the clean air we breathe. It nurtures our ecosystems, supports our economies, and sustains our cultures. The health of our lands is therefore the cornerstone upon food security. Land degradation and drought amplify competition over access to land and water. Conflicts between farmers and pastoralists are exploding all over. Consider this: any land degradation anywhere in the world, is a depreciation of our global economy and an erosion of human wellbeing. Any efforts to " green the economy " are therefore doomed to fail, unless we prioritize investments in this crucial natural capital. We know this well: nature provides 30% of the solutions to climate change. Sadly, nature-based solutions only receive 3% of the climate funding. Sadly, investments on land restoration and drought mitigation are shockingly insufficient. This should change, and this group of countries has to power to bring positive change. Arguably, countries of the Islamic World have more power to bring positive change to the Planet than any other similar group. The Islamic World, perhaps more than other groups, needs to control its narrative on climate and environmental change. Unleashing that power can be truly transformative and bring positive change to the world. Coming back specifically to land loss, the challenge is huge. According to the UNCCD's Global Land Outlook report, up to 40 % of the global land has been degraded. If the current trend continues, by 2050, we will further degrade an area the size of South America. The good news is the solution is literally in our hands: it's called Land Restoration. By restoring degraded land, we improve food security and, even more importantly, food sovereignty. Whether in Arid Lands, in grasslands or in more humid ecosystems, we have one billion hectares of land that can be put back to health by 2030. Healing one billion hectares of ailing land and putting it back to the global economy is a smart and wise investment. One good example of such powerful change is the critical role played by Saudi Arabia during its G20 Presidency, when it led G20 Leaders to adopt the Global Land Restoration Initiative. The ambitious G20 Global Land Initiative, housed within the UNCCD, has set an audacious goal: halve land degradation in the world by 2040. This initiative is global in scope and is committed to working with all countries, including those of the Islamic World and with the ICESCO. We are also very pleased with the Middle East Green Initiative, which has received substantive financial support from Saudi Arabia and aims at restoring 200 million hectares of degraded land. We are confident that building on Islamic Civilization and its great principles of solidarity, more countries will support large-scale land restoration as well Drought Mitigation in the world. Indeed, islamic civilizations were visionaries in fields like sustainable agriculture, water conservation, and harmonious land practices. It's a heritage-a treasure of knowledge- that can be drawn upon. Yet, as we honor our past, we must confront silent killers that are chocking our economies, namely land degradation and drought. As we build our futures, we must ensure that our progress is in harmony with nature. To achieve this, we need to combine ancestral wisdom with contemporary innovation. Weaving together Islamic principles of stewardship and reverence for nature with cutting-edge land management techniques, we can chart a course towards a green transformation. Allow me, before I conclude, to say a word about the Road to UNCCD COP16. Saudi Arabia's role as the host of the upcoming UNCCD COP 16 is a testament of commitments to addressing these global challenges. Climate COP 27 in Sharm Es-Sheikh and COP28 in Dubai, while Morocco just hosted the WB/IMF annual assemblies ...there is no mistake. There is a clear indication of Islamic Countries strong commitment to multilateralism. UNCCD COP16 in December 2024, in Riyadh, presents a unique platform for countries of this group to demonstrate their leadership in combating desertification, land degradation, and drought. We can make the next UNCCD 16th COP the moon-shoot moment for land restoration and drought resilience, for people, for the planet and for prosperity. Shukran!

Mr. Chairman, Bureau members, distinguished delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, Permítame trasladar mis sinceras felicitaciones a su Excelencia el Embajador Carlos Amorin, Representante Permanente de Uruguay ante las Naciones Unidas y Presidente de la Segunda Comisión de la Asamblea General. I also congratulate your fellow Bureau members. We will spare no efforts to support your work. Let me also salute the delegations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mongolia and Uzbekistan. Saudi Arabia will host UNCCD COP 16 in Riyadh in December 2024, Mongolia COP 17 in 2026. Uzbekistan is hosting next month the 21st session of the Committee for the Review of the implementation of the Convention in Samarkand. I wish to express my gratitude and appreciation to these countries which are playing a leadership role in the UNCCD processes and implementation. Excellencies, Three weeks ago, the UN Secretary-General drew the world leaders' attention to the fact that only 15 per cent of the SDG targets are on track and many are, on the contrary, going in reverse. The Secretary-General sounded alarm bells warning that instead of leaving no one behind, we risked leaving the SDGs behind. And this is the case for land and its SDG 15.3, in the 2023 report[1], the findings are worrisome: "Between 2015 and 2019, the world lost at least 100 million hectares of healthy and productive land every year, affecting food and water security globally. " Worldwide, poverty, hunger, environmental degradation, and conflicts are indeed increasing. And we can see a correlation where globally the poorest and the hungriest are found in areas affected by land degradation, desertification, and drought, and the Sahel and the Dry Corridor in Central America, to name few, are clear examples of this reality. These intertwined crises of nature-climate-land degradation and conflicts require the implementation of solutions that generate multiple benefits and the mobilization of technical and economic resources at an unprecedented scale. Investing in land restoration and drought resilience are win-win and cost- effective solutions with multiple benefits for a safe and sustainable future. Land restoration and drought resilience are critical to guarantee water and food security, livelihoods, to reduce irregular migration of people and conflicts over resource scarcity. These solutions also constitute building blocks to achieve climate and biodiversity goals. Excellencies, Within this framework let me now proceed to the introduction of the Report of the Secretary-General contained in document A/78/209, section II. The report suggests some recommendations that we hope would feature the UNCCD resolution that you will negotiate in these coming days. Since this report has been before you for quite some time, I will not go into its details. Regarding the outcome of COP 15, the Secretariat is working with the country Parties to support the implementation of the COP decisions adopted in Abidjan. In the context of achieving land degradation neutrality, we noted some important political signals. For instance, in 2020 in Riyadh, the G20 Group declared their ambition to reduce 50 per cent of the world's degraded land by 2040. This declaration and the launch of the G20 Global Land Initiative are contributing to consolidating a land restoration movement. Over the past two years, the presidencies of G20 have included land restoration as an important political priority within their communique, and have promoted the restoration of peatlands and mangroves, as well as land affected by mining and forest fires. LDN is becoming an important vehicle to achieve the SDGs: 130 countries are currently involved in the process for setting land degradation neutrality targets, and a number of flagship initiatives on land restoration are being promoted globally: such as Great Green Wall in the Sahel and in the SADC region, the Dry Corridor, the Middle East Green Initiative. We need to continue enhancing collaboration and cooperation to accelerate action on the ground. In terms of outreach activities, the highlight has been the observance of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought on June 17, celebrated in the General Assembly Hall. That day a global campaign under the theme "Her Land. Her Rights" was launched to advocate for women and girls' access to land. Several global leaders, UN agencies and partners participated in the event and are part of this global campaign that recognizes that land restoration, conservation and sustainable management can be accelerated if we address land tenure and gender issues in an integrated manner. On the drought front, we are moving forward. We see an appetite from the international community to operate a paradigm shift in drought management - from reactive to proactive action that better prepares countries and communities for future droughts, but more information sharing, resources, and political will is needed. It is in this context that the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) was established to generate more political momentum for this agenda and to accelerate action. I invite the General Assembly to encourage its members to join this coalition. Regarding the implementation of the COP 15 decision, the Intergovernmental Working Group on Drought has been analyzing how to strengthen drought management system within the convention. Its members are currently discussing policy options to be considered by COP 16. The next COP which will be held in December 2024 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aspires to be a moonshot moment for the land and drought resilience agenda. We hope to see you there. Before I close my presentation, allow me to pay a short tribute to my colleague, Mr. Melchiade Bukuru, Director of our Office in New York who is about to retire after over a quarter of a century with you, for his long dedication and commitment to UNCCD processes. [1] https://hlpf.un.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/SDG%20Progress%20Report%20Special%20Edition.pdf

How much do you know about Land and Gender?

Publication

The policy brief demonstrates that enhancing resilience is one of the most cost-effective actions countries can take, and is typically far less expensive than interventions...

Publication

Drought is a complex phenomenon: its causes are varied, and it has both direct and indirect impacts on food security, human well-being and ecosystem health. Episodes of drought...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Excellency, Abdulrahman Al Fadhley, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture of the KSA Excellency Salam Al Malik, Director General of ISESCO, Excellency Hussein Brahim Taha, SG of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Excellencies, Ministers Esteemed delegates, and honored guests Ladies and gentlemen, As-Salaamu aleykum As we gather today in the beautiful city of Jeddah, I wish to express our profound appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for graciously hosting this gathering today.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The networked beauty of forests - Suzanne Simard

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Get a daily email featuring the latest talk, plus a quick mix of trending content.

By subscribing, you understand and agree that we will store, process and manage your personal information according to our Privacy Policy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Sheherazade Sheherazade: Why the Forest's Biodiversity is More Than Just Trees

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
For the majority of us city dwellers, the forest is often only seen as a vacation for the adventurous and the flora & fauna inside are seen as the responsibility of conservationists. But as more research is done, we now know that every ecosystem on earth is one big intertwined system, with it's biodiversity being the key to these ecosystems function.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Conservation and the race to save biodiversity (video) | Khan Academy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Different approaches to conservation and how they can protect species and habitats. Video by California Academy of Sciences.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to address poverty, inequality, environmental degradation and promote sustainable development worldwide. These 17 interconnected goals recognise the interdependence between economic, social and environmental aspects of human wellbeing and highlight the urgent need for transformative actions.

Clean air can be a catalyst for driving progress on Agenda 2030. We won't be able to meet these ambitious goals and ensure no one is left behind if air pollution is not addressed.

Which SDGs can clean air accelerate?

Clean air has a significant positive impact on several goals, directly contributing to SDG 3 ( Good Health and Well-Being), and SDG 7 ( Affordable and Clean Energy), and indirectly contributing to SDG 2 ( Zero Hunger), SDG 4 ( Quality Education), SDG 5 ( Gender Equality), SDG 8 ( Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 ( Reduced Inequalities), SDG 11 ( Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 ( Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 ( Climate Action), and SDG 15 ( Life on Land).

Air pollution can cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, which are major contributors to global mortality rates. Policies and action tackling air pollution have a direct positive impact on population health (SDG 3), further resulting in increased labour productivity and economic growth (SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth) and better education (SDG 4).

Building sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) relies on safe levels of particulate matter pollution, while achieving universal access to sustainable energy (SDG 7) implies shifting away from the dirty fuels that cause both outdoor and indoor (household) air pollution. Ozone, a potent air pollutant, significantly reduces crop yield, so clean air supports food security and improved nutrition (SDG 2).

The most vulnerable people and communities - children, women and the elderly - are usually those who suffer the most from air pollution, so policies and actions to improve air quality can also contribute to reducing inequalities (SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities; SDG 5: Gender Equality).

As both air pollution and climate change are mainly caused by burning fossil fuels, clean air action is also often climate action (SDG 13). Solutions to improving air quality-such as switching to affordable and cleaner energy, cooking and lowering transport emissions -will also address the climate emergency.

Reducing air pollution associated with responsible production and consumption is critical to achieving SDG 12, including reducing emissions from transportation, waste burning and industrial activities. Clean air can also support SDG 15, as air pollution can harm ecosystems and biodiversity, including plants, animals and microorganisms. Clean air will help protect these species and maintain healthy ecosystems.

Indicators related to air pollution

While there are three specific indicators for reducing air pollution in the formal system of SDG indicators, improving air quality supports the achievement of many more goals. Click on the below goals to see which indicators are directly and indirectly related to improved air quality.

Financing a catalyst for Agenda 2030

Smarter funding for projects that improve air quality can deliver enormous benefits globally in terms of human health, economic development and climate mitigation and adaptation. By investing in clean air projects, funders can more effectively utilise their resources, delivering smart interventions that cut across several SDGs simultaneously.

Our upcoming State of Global Air Quality Funding report will outline recommendations for smarter investments in delivering the SDGs. Subscribe to our newsletter to get the report direct to your inbox.
Image credit: United Nations Photo. Licence: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Sustainable Development Goals and air pollution - Clean Air Fund

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to address poverty, inequality, environmental degradation and promote sustainable development worldwide. These 17 interconnected goals recognise the interdependence between economic, social and environmental aspects of human wellbeing and highlight the urgent need for transformative actions. Clean air can be a catalyst for driving progress on Agenda 2030.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
First, the bad news. The world is in the grip of an air pollution crisis. An estimated nine out of 10 people globally breathe polluted air , according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Air pollution is one of the leading threats to child health , accounting for almost 1 in 10 deaths in children under five years of age. New research suggests that exposure to air pollution could cause almost 9 million deaths each year , twice the earlier estimates.

Sadly, poorer parts of the world suffer the most. Bangladesh, Pakistan and India had the worst air quality in 2018 , according to air quality monitoring company AirVisual. Overall, 91 per cent of the premature deaths caused by air pollution occur in low- and middle-income countries , according to WHO data.

Air pollution is not only damaging our health - it's also deteriorating our economies. The World Bank calculated that premature deaths from air pollution led to lost income of $225 billion in 2013, the equivalent, for some countries in South Asia, of almost 1 per cent of their GDP. Calculating welfare losses - a broader measure used by governments to estimate the costs and benefits of regulations - those figures rise to a staggering $5.1 trillion, or an average of around 7.5 percent of GDP for countries in South and East Asia.

The causes of air pollution are well understood. Most is from the burning of fossil fuels, whether coal to produce electricity, or diesel and gasoline to power vehicles. Agriculture contributes through fertiliser use, burning waste and clearing forests.

But the good news is that we know how to tackle the problem. As long as 1956, the passage of the Clean Air Act in the UK and its introduction of 'smoke control zones' successfully putting an end to pollution events such as the Great Smog of 1952, which killed 12,000 Londoners. More recently, efforts by the Chinese government to improve air quality are paying dividends , following an air quality plan that has curbed industrial emissions and banned household coal burning.

Air pollution is the focus of this year's World Environment Day . It is also the subject of one of WWF's initiatives, the One Planet Cities Challenge (OPCC). The OPCC is inspiring cities to develop and showcase initiatives to limit climate change, improve air quality, and make cities more sustainable, liveable and dynamic.

Over half of the world's inhabitants live in cities and by 2050, that figure will have risen to two thirds. Cities account for 70 per cent of carbon emissions and generate more than 80 per cent of the global GDP. They are also often hotbeds of innovation, creating and road-testing solutions to the world's sustainability challenges.

One of the world's fastest growing cities , Pune in India is undergoing an ambitious re-engineering to put its transport system on to a sustainable footing, cutting greenhouse gases and local air pollution while improving public health. By investing in public transport, bicycle lanes, a bike-sharing system and the redesign of public spaces to encourage walking, it is aiming for sustainable transport to account for 80% of all journeys by 2027.

A more unusual initiative is underway in Guatemala City, where the Barranco Invertido project is seeking to reclaim the ravines that account for almost half of the city's land area. By integrating these oases of nature into the life of the city, the project aims to generate ecological, social and economic benefits for the city - not least in ensuring the ravines contribute to improved air quality. Planting trees is an effective way to combat air pollution, second only to reducing traffic emissions.

These initiatives are just two of hundreds underway in cities around the world to address the challenges of air pollution, climate change and environmental degradation. They are showing how an increasingly urbanised global population can retain its connections to nature, while at the same time living as lightly as possible upon the planet.

We are just beginning to tackle the air pollution crisis, and it is crucial that we do it alongside the climate crisis. Mayors and local governments need to show leadership by demonstrating the vision to tackle pollution while ensuring joined up public administration - making the connections between health and transport departments, putting environmental considerations at the heart of urban planning, and exerting pressure on national and regional government to make sure they play their part.

We have no time to lose. 2020 will be a key year for climate action. Cities are well placed to be the drivers of change for addressing both air pollution and the climate crisis.

Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, leader of WWF's global climate and energy practice. He is based in Lima, Peru.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Breathe in, breathe out: Solving the air pollution crisis one city at a time

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
First, the bad news. The world is in the grip of an air pollution crisis. An estimated nine out of 10 people globally breathe polluted air, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Air pollution is one of the leading threats to child health, accounting for almost 1 in

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How do solar panels work? - Richard Komp

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Trees make the oxygen we breathe, the water we drink and the rain for our crops. They store carbon in their trunks and roots, and in the soil. They provide habitat for our unique wildlife. They bind the soil and provide shade, cooling our communities. They improve our health and well-being, and our neighbourhoods.

But our Australian native forests and woodlands are being cleared and destroyed at unprecedented and alarming rates. A from the World Wide Fund for Nature names eastern Australia among 24 global deforestation fronts - the only developed nation on the list.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Towards Two Billion Trees - WWF-Australia | Towards Two Billion Trees | WWF Australia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Trees make the oxygen we breathe, the water we drink and the rain for our crops. They store carbon in their trunks and roots, and in the soil. They provide habitat for our unique wildlife. They bind the soil and provide shade, cooling our communities. They improve our health and well-being, and our neighbourhoods.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Deforestation of the Amazon rainforest - BBC News

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
All the latest content about Deforestation of the Amazon rainforest from the BBC.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Deforestation | Causes, Effects & Solutions | Video for Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
"Michael Pollan likens consumer choices to pulling single threads out of a garment. We pull a thread from the garment when we refuse to purchase eggs or meat from birds who were raised in confinement, whose beaks were clipped so they could never once taste their natural diet of worms and insects. We pull out a thread when we refuse to bring home a hormone-fattened turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. We pull a thread when we refuse to buy meat or dairy products from cows who were never allowed to chew grass, or breathe fresh air, or feel the warm sun on their backs.
The more threads we pull, the more difficult it is for the industry to stay intact. You demand eggs and meat without hormones, and the industry will have to figure out how it can raise farm animals without them. Let the animals graze outside and it slows production. Eventually the whole thing will have to unravel.
If the factory farm does indeed unravel - and it must - then there is hope that we can, gradually, reverse the environmental damage it has caused. Once the animal feed operations have gone and livestock are once again able to graze, there will be a massive reduction in the agricultural chemicals currently used to grow grain for animals. And eventually, the horrendous contamination caused by animal waste can be cleaned up. None of this will be easy.
The hardest part of returning to a truly healthy environment may be changing the current totally unsustainable heavy-meat-eating culture of increasing numbers of people around the world. But we must try. We must make a start, one by one."
― Jane Goodall, Harvest for Hope: A Guide to Mindful Eating

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Jane Goodall Quotes (Author of The Book of Hope)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
293 quotes from Jane Goodall: 'What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.', 'The greatest danger to our future is apathy.', and 'You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The global climate crisis is a human rights crisis.

Tens of millions of people around the world already facing impacts from drought, storms, and rising sea levels.

Burning fossil fuels, like coal, oil, and gas, releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the air that have been quickly warming up the surface of the Earth. For several decades, climate change has been a global crisis that will impact every single person and living being on this planet. Now, according to the latest UN climate report, we have less than 10 years to cut global emissions in half.

There is no longer a debate of what causes the now every day extreme weather, it is a matter of how we stop it.

To stop climate destruction in its tracks, carbon, and other greenhouse gas, emissions must be cut to zero, and forests must remain standing to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Forests protect the climate, and reducing the impacts of a warming planet helps keep forests standing.

We can find our way out of this crisis of survival, but we must demand that corporations defund climate change and keep forests standing.

Climate change impacts don't have to be something future generations deal with, we can change the course, get justice for those whose rights have been violated, and create a just and viable future.
Join us to Defund Climate Change

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Working towards long-term goals of keeping global temperature change to 1.5 degrees, protecting human rights, and accelerating the decline of the most climate-destructive fossil fuel subsectors.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What happens if you cut down all of a city's trees? - Stefan Al

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, forests cover 31% of the world's land area. That's over 4 billion hectares of an incredibly biodiverse, precious ecosystem. Over half of the world's forests are in just five countries - Brazil, Canada, the United States, China, and the Russian Federation. Since 1990, around 420 million hectares of forest have been lost, and while deforestation has decreased in the past decades, it remains a serious problem. Why? Here are ten negative effects deforestation has on humans and the planet:

#1. Deforestation harms biomass and worsens climate change

A recent paper in Nature Communications used climate models and satellite data to measure the climate impact of tropical deforestation on the forests left behind. They found that after deforestation in one patch of the Amazon, the resulting climate changes led to another 5.1% loss of total biomass (roots, branches, leaves, etc) for the Amazon basin. This matters because a tree's biomass stores carbon. Since 2010, deforestation has removed 1 petagram (1 trillion kilograms) of carbon every year. That carbon goes into the atmosphere and drives climate change. Understanding how deforestation affects other forests is essential to measuring its impact and figuring out solutions.

#2. Deforestation makes air pollution worse

Forests are essential to clean air. Through photosynthesis, the leaves of trees take in carbon dioxide and water. Combined with the sun's energy, they convert these materials into nutrients. A by-product of this process? Oxygen. One large tree can produce as much as a day's supply of oxygen for four people. Trees also reduce the effects of PM, which are particles of different chemicals that can cause lung and heart disease. This makes trees especially valuable in cities where pollution is higher. They also store carbon dioxide and keep it out of the atmosphere. healthy forests are essentially large air filters. Deforestation has the opposite effect. It removes an essential source of cleaner air and releases the stored carbon, worsening the air quality. Bad air has serious consequences. According to the World Health Organization, around 4.2 million people die every year as a result of outdoor air pollution. Those who don't die are at risk for a score of lung and heart diseases.

#3. Deforestation increases the risk for more pandemics

Deforestation makes pandemics more likely. Why? Many viral diseases (like COVID-19 and Ebola) come from animals living in tropical forests. As tropical forests are destroyed, the animals that carry these diseases come into closer and closer contact with humans, giving the pathogens prime opportunities to evolve and make the jump to other species. Several studies link deforestation to malaria epidemics in South America as forest clearing helps mosquitoes, which are major vectors of human diseases. Experts have been warning about the health consequences of deforestation for decades. In an article from Nature, epidemiologist Ibrahima Socé Fall is quoted, "If we continue to have this level of deforestation, disorganized mining and unplanned development, we are going to have more outbreaks."

#4. Deforestation threatens the creation of medicines

Forests not only shield humans from dangerous pathogens. They're a source of medicine and medical supplies. According to the UN, forest products play a huge role in public health systems, especially during COVID-19. Things like paper towels, ethanol for hand sanitizers, toilet paper, and more all come from forest products. PPE like masks and clothing for medical workers also use forest products like wood pulp. Many medications have forest origins, too. Around 120 prescription drugs and ⅔ of all medicine with cancer-fighting properties come from rainforest plants. Compounds found in these plants have been used to treat everything from heart disease to diabetes to malaria. Only a small fraction of plants have been tested for their medicinal properties, so it's essential to protect forests and research what else they can offer humanity.

#5. Deforestation leads to greater soil erosion

Soil erosion has devastating effects on the environment, including the loss of fertile land and crops. Areas with high soil erosion are also more vulnerable to flooding, mudslides, dust storms, and water pollution. Erosion usually occurs when soil is exposed to moving water, hard rain, and strong winds. With their roots, fallen leaves, and branches, forests shield the topsoil from these harmful elements. When trees are cut down, the soil is left exposed. Soil erosion can also worsen climate change because soil holds high volumes of carbon dioxide. When soil is degraded through deforestation, the carbon is released into the atmosphere. The ocean holds significantly more carbon, but with proper land and forest management, healthy soil is a vital tool in the fight against climate change.

#6. Deforestation affects biodiversity

Biodiversity is the variety of life found on earth, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. It measures variations in genetics, species, and ecosystems. Biodiversity comes with a range of benefits, such as healthier soil, cleaner water, healthier plants and animals, and better food security. Every ecosystem's delicate balance is a little bit different, but experts agree that biodiversity is important for every ecosystem. A piece on The Conversation summarizes what researchers found when they examined five million records stretching over 150 years. They discovered many things, including how changes in biodiversity affect species differently depending on their lifespan. Deforestation also harms biodiversity more in "pristine forests" than in forests more accustomed to disturbances. How significant the forest loss is matters, too. If forests are destroyed, animals and plants could go completely extinct if they can't adapt fast enough.

#7. Deforestation throws off the water cycle

Trees play an important role in the water cycle. Moisture falls on the ground through rain, snow, and fog. The soil and streams absorb a lot of water but some seeps deeper into underground aquifers or gets evaporated into vapor. The forest's roots drink in water from the soil, moving it through the tree in a process called transpiration. The water then evaporates from the leaves or needles of the tree and returns to the atmosphere. A study in 2019 found that on a local scale, the forest canopy can regulate the rate of moisture and energy returning to the atmosphere. This impacts water retention and forest ecosystems. The bigger the forest, the bigger its impact. When forests are destroyed, the water cycle is disrupted, which can impact how much rain an area gets, the air temperature, and the health of the surrounding plant, animal, and human communities.

#8. Deforestation harms forest watersheds

Speaking of water, forest watersheds are also vital to humanity and the planet. In the United States alone, forest watersheds are a source of clean water for over 180 million people. When forests are healthy, they filter water, regulate rainfall, manage groundwater tables, and protect communities from droughts and floods. On the coast, forests are essential for marine life. Deforestation causes harm in a variety of ways. Forests are unable to filter properly or regulate the water supply. The risk for floods, erosion, and landslides increases. In 2016, Global Forest Watch released a report showing the world's watersheds lost 6% of their tree cover between 2000 and 2014. Forest loss, fire, and erosion were common threats. The watershed in Sumatra, Indonesia, lost more than 22% of its forest cover from logging, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure. The effects? More water pollution, landslides, fires, and floods.

#9. Deforestation makes outdoor work dangerous

Millions of people work outdoors in industries like construction and agriculture. When forests are healthy, they block the sun's radiation, offer shade, and cool down the air. When trees in places like the Amazon are cut down, the temperature shoots up. According to 2021 a study in One Earth, nearly 5 million people working in tropical areas over the past 15 years lost around 30 minutes of safe work time per day because of deforestation. In other tropical areas, around 100,000 people (90% of whom live in Asia) lost more than 2 hours of safe work time. Losing safe work time forces many to continue working in unsafe conditions where high temperatures cause heat strain and heat stroke, which can be fatal. The study's lead author said: "Our findings highlight the vital role tropical forests play in effectively providing natural air-conditioning services for populations vulnerable to climate change - given these are typically regions where outdoor work tends to be the only option for many, and where workers don't have the luxury of retiring to air-conditioned offices whenever the temperature rises to intolerable levels."

#10. Deforestation has a huge economic impact

Forests are a crucial economy. Everywhere in the world, communities living in forests depend on their biodiversity. Around 86 million green jobs involve forests while 880 million people collect wood for fuel or produce charcoal. People of all income levels use forests, but 90% of those living in extreme poverty depend on them for at least part of their livelihood. Many forms of recreation and tourism also rely on forests. Based on some estimates, the economic value of the forest's ecosystem services could be as high as $16.2 trillion every year. The total value could be much higher. According to an analysis by the Boston Consulting Group, which attempted to measure value based on climate regulatory function, environmental benefits, social value, and commercial output, the world's forests could be worth as much as $150 trillion. As much as 90% of the value comes from forests' ability to store carbon. The analysis pointed to land-use changes and rising global temperatures as the biggest threats to that value.
Did you find this article useful? Sign up to our newsletter for paid human rights internships, online courses, master's degrees, scholarships and other human rights opportunities.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, forests cover 31% of the world's land area. That's over 4 billion hectares of an incredibly biodiverse, precious ecosystem. Over half of the world's forests are in just five countries - Brazil, Canada, the United States, China, and the Russian Federation.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What happens to wildlife when cities and towns trespass on the natural habitats that they need to survive?

An important question without a definitive answer-especially considering the rate at which urban or agricultural development is growing in Canada, consuming habitats and displacing indigenous wildlife. Urban development destroys and fragments habitat, the process of dividing continuous habitats into smaller isolated patches, compromising or eliminating traditional migratory paths and putting animal populations at risk.
How animals adapt to both the loss of their natural habitats and their increased contact with humans in urban areas is becoming an important area of study for wildlife scientists and conservationists across Canada. Does urbanization lead to actual change in animal behaviour, or are certain species simply more able to learn and thrive as their habitats change?

"Wildlife have limits to how well they can adapt to urbanization," said Carolyn Callaghan, Senior Conservation Biologist Terrestrial Wildlife with the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) who studied wolf biology for her doctoral thesis in the popular Bow Valley that goes through Banff National Park. "Most do not adapt well. They die or move on. The synanthropic species (those comfortable with humans) do well, but in the grand scheme of things, there are relatively few species that thrive under intense urban development."

John Wilmshurst, PhD and Native Grassland Conservation Manager with CWF, agrees.

"Most wildlife don't adapt well to urbanization but the effects differ among species," said Wilmshurst. "There is a lot of interest in this in western Canada, particularly with urban coyotes in Edmonton and Vancouver and bobcats in Calgary. Urban coyotes tend to become bold, attacking pets and people. This makes them a target for relocation or control. Bobcats tend to remain secretive, hunting abundant urban rabbits that are frequently seen in people's backyards. They are less of a danger to people."

What are the key impacts of urbanization on wildlife according to Wilmshurst?

"Loss of habitat, fragmentation including drained wetlands, movement barriers like fences or roads, and human conflicts including from pets" he said. "Regardless, urban areas are attractive to wildlife as there are a lot of food opportunities for both herbivores (lawns, gardens, parks, sports fields) and omnivores/carnivores (garbage, pet food, intentional feeding)."

Two of the most intriguing questions to come out of studies of wildlife urbanization are whether animal behaviours are actually changing due to habitat loss, the consequence of living closer to urban areas, and the impact of climate change on their home environments. Both ask some fundamental questions of how wildlife adapt to changing environments?

"It is sometimes difficult to know what is happening for species that are negatively affected. They often just disappear. It's much clearer for wildlife that can habituate to urban settings because we can see the changes." said Wilmshurst. "But for shy wildlife, observations are a challenge. Our ability to follow animals using GPS tracking really helps to give us greater detail on how sensitive animals can be to urban infrastructure like roads and towns. Some wildlife, like wolves for example, do not do well with people. They seem to both avoid people and built-up areas in addition to being aggressively persecuted. Clearly, they change behaviours to avoid urban areas and highways. We are learning more every day."

Wilmshurst said that for those animals that are becoming common in urban areas, some of the more interesting behavioural changes span generations. A bold individual moves into an urban setting and then teaches its offspring how to find food, mates, and shelter among people. There are examples of birds that change the pitch of songs to adapt to urban soundscapes. Raccoons are comfortable with people and behaviourally capable of adapting well in urban landscapes. Bobcats use the cover of night to hunt rabbits that are themselves feeding on lawns and vegetable gardens. Geese are another example of wildlife attracted to urban areas where food (grass) is abundant. Management of aggressive species, like these, is a big issue for municipalities looking out for the safety of their residents in parks where urban wildlife are often found. Increasing aggression itself may be an adaptation to urban life.

When it comes to understanding fragmentation and the impact it is having on species across Canada, Wilmshurst says the answers can be very complicated. Some negative impacts of animal populations being isolated in small habitat patches can be mitigated by some well placed landscape management in the non-habitat areas in-between. Changing fences, wildlife under- and overpasses on roads, and naturalizing utility rights-of-way can have a positive effect on animal conservation.

"Habitat fragmentation has few benefits. Large, intact spaces are always the best thing for wildlife. Cutting up large areas into smaller pieces, even if they are connected by corridors, is rarely easy for animals, and difficult for people to manage. But, if development leaves you with fragmented habitats, like wetlands or forests in urban settings, you will need to do the work to maintain movement corridors if you want viable wildlife populations."

Wildlife are not the only ones adapting to increasingly wild cities-we are too. People are planting pollinator gardens to provide food for moths, bees and hummingbirds. Many residential property owners are moving away from grass-only yards in favour of growing more diverse plants. Bylaws are being passed to keep house cats indoors and building codes are changing to reduce the number of bird strikes with glass windows in skyscrapers. At CWF, we believe our increasingly urban human population needs to maintain its connection to nature. One way to do that is for us to adapt to, and encourage, wildlife in even our most densely populated cities. Public policies that help people safely maintain a connection with nature in our own neighbourhoods are a positive step in improving our urban way of life.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
An important question without a definitive answer-especially considering the rate at which urban or agricultural development is growing in Canada, consuming habitats and displacing indigenous wildlife. Urban development destroys and fragments habitat, the process of dividing continuous habitats into smaller isolated patches, compromising or eliminating traditional migratory paths and putting animal populations at risk.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Amazon is home to more than 40,000 plants and over 4,000 animal species including 3,000 freshwater fish, thousands of birds and butterflies, and mammals - these are just the ones that humans have discovered. Aside from supporting such a rich biodiversity, the Amazon is also the world's largest rainforest, playing a crucial role in helping absorb and store carbon dioxide amid increases in global carbon emissions. However, rampant deforestation and increasing wildfire events exacerbated by climate change are destroying more natural habitats every day, threatening the survival of many important and rare species. The situation deteriorated under the administration of Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, who famously encourages logging and mining activities, causing deforestation rates to reach a 15-year high. Despite the results of last year's presidential elections raising hope for the future of the Amazon, countless animals remain on the brink of extinction. Here are just seven Amazon rainforest endangered species.
-

7 Amazon Rainforest Endangered Species

1. Jaguars
You might also like: 10 of the World's Most Endangered Animals in 2023
The largest cat in the Americas, jaguars are one of the most iconic species in the Amazon currently threatened by the destruction of the ecosystem. These big cats are strong swimmers and climbers, and require large areas of tropical rainforest and stretches of river bank to survive. They also hunt most animals in the Amazon ranging from deers, armadillos, monkeys and lizards, playing an important part in population control of other species. Habitat loss - jaguar now occupy less than half of its historical range, growing conflict with farmers and ranchers, as well as climate change which has increased risk of wildfire and reduced water resources, has driven the animal to be an Amazon rainforest endangered species.

2. Amazon River Dolphin

Also known as the pink river dolphin, the animal lives only in freshwater and is found throughout the Amazon river basins in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela. Though the dolphin is protected in Brazil, its population continues to halve every decade and is now a IUCN-listed endangered species as poachers persistently hunt them for their fatty blubber to be used as bait to catch a carnivorous catfish. In other parts of the Amazon, the dolphin faces increasing threats of water pollution as well as dam installations creating habitat fragmentation. As female river dolphins bear only a single calf every four to five years on average, population numbers can be slow and difficult to recover.

3. Giant Otters

As the name suggests, the giant otter is the largest species within the weasel family and are commonly spotted in the Peruvian portion of the Amazon rainforest, where they feed on fish and crustaceans. Much like most threatened species, habitat destruction and illegal hunting has driven its population to worryingly low numbers. The otters also face an additional threat of water contamination from mining and agricultural activities in the Amazon, and overfishing in their habitats. Though the species has been protected under Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) since 1973, given the large territory that this animal requires, its protection and conservation can be a complicated task.

4. Uakari Monkey

Another endangered monkey species on this list is the Uakari Monkey, an animal that is incredibly identifiable by its bright red face and bald head - not unlike an old man with a terrible sunburn. This particular primate was named after the Uakari tribe that once lived in the Amazon but has now unfortunately become extinct. However, worrying trends show that the monkey is on track to follow its namesake as extensive deforestation has destroyed much of their natural habitat, making it difficult for the animal to forage and nest. Some of its populations have also been vulnerable to illegal hunting. Native to western Amazon rainforest, the Uakari Monkey plays an important role in seed dispersal and is particularly crucial for its ability to transport seeds at a greater distance than smaller animals.

5. Hyacinth Macaw

Also known as the Blue Macaw and the protagonist of the film Rio, this strikingly blue parrot (and the largest flying parrot in the world) faces growing threats and pressure as its natural habitats and resources continue to shrink from land clearing. They nest almost exclusively in large cavities of old Manduvi trees and were historically widely spread across Brazil. Today, they're found mostly in small pockets in the Amazon, most notably in central Pará , where human activities have led to 203,460 hectares of tree loss in 2019 alone. Aside from deforestation, the parrot has suffered other threats such as poaching for its unique feathers and the exotic pet trade . Though the animal is still considered only "vulnerable" by the IUCN, many environmentalists believe the species is at the precipice of becoming endangered.
You might also like: 10 of the World's Most Endangered Animals in 2023
6. South American Tapir

The South American Tapir is a herbivorous mammal that is similar to a pig in shape, feeding primarily on clay licks. This animal is a keystone species for its role as a disperser and predator of tree seeds, supporting the diversity of forests and overall health of the ecosystem. But habitat loss from logging activities and deforestation have been the biggest threat to this species, along with illegal hunting and poaching, driving its population numbers to plummet. The tapir is currently facing extinction in Peru, while in the Argentina portion of the Amazon, tapir populations have declined by an estimated 60% within the last two centuries. Conservation efforts have struggled to help recover the species as they require e xtensive habitats, and many of its protected areas are surrounded by unprotected private lands.

7. Poison Dart Frogs

There are more than 100 species of poison dart frogs, most of which live in the Amazon. Posison dart frogs are brightly coloured - they can be yellow, copper, gold, red, blue, green, black or a combination of those colours - and notoriously poisonous where its striking hue helps warn off predators. They are also unique as they are active during the day, as opposed to being nocturnal like most frog species. The amphibian is terrestrial with a few arboreals, and loss of its habitats increasing food competition and risks of being preyed upon, causing these frogs to become move closer to extinction. Scientists also found chytridiomycosis, a bacterial disease found in amphibians, to have killed thousands of animals each year , which resulted in the extinction of some species.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
7 Amazon Rainforest Endangered Species in 2023 | Earth.Org

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Countless animals are at the brink of extinction from deforestation; these are just some of the most endangered species in the Amazon Rainforest right now.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Deforestation doesn't just harm trees. It has a ripple effect on Earth's ecological system.

This article highlights the impact of deforestation on animals, their habitat loss, and its effect on climate change. We'll also suggest conservation strategies to mitigate these effects.‍

Negative impacts of deforestation on animal life

Deforestation refers to the extensive removal of trees and clearing of lands to accommodate:

Urban expansion

Land for farming

Agricultural activities

Palm oil plantations

Mining operations

Other human activities related to sustenance, animal feed, and habitation

Its consequences affect various aspects, from local ecology to global climate.

Additionally, forest degradation is a pressing issue, weakening forest landscapes and diminishing their ability to support wildlife populations.

Alarmingly, millions of hectares of forest are lost or degraded each year. Deforestation monitoring is crucial in preserving our planet's ecological balance.

Biodiversity impact: what animals are affected by deforestation?

The range of biodiversity present in these forest ecosystems represents a significant casualty. Ecosystem collapse and habitat loss put many animals on the brink of extinction.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species is a vital source of information on extinction risk statuses.

It is sad to say that more than 42,100 species are threatened with extinction. (28% of all assessed species). Below, I will discuss just a small group of these endangered species.

Mammals: a battle for existence

Multiple species are on the brink of extinction due to depleted habitats, hunting grounds, and resources.

The vulnerability of larger animals, such as tigers and elephants, increases due to their dependence on extensive habitats for sustenance.

As natural environments dwindle or vanish, animals are driven towards human territory. Increased contact with humans gives rise to possible clashes and intensifies risks to existence.

Sumatran Tiger

The Sumatran Tiger is native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra and is critically endangered largely due to deforestation and habitat fragmentation.

Logging, agricultural expansion, and human settlements have severely impacted their natural habitat.

These solitary big cats rely on dense forest cover to stalk their prey and raise their young. With diminishing habitats, they are forced closer to human activities, increasing the risk of human-tiger conflicts.

Poaching for their skin, bones, and other body parts for the illegal wildlife trade also remains a significant threat.

Conservation efforts, such as anti-poaching laws and habitat restoration, are essential but currently insufficient to halt their decline.

Chimpanzee

Chimpanzees are native to Central and West Africa's tropical forests. Due to deforestation, their natural habitat is shrinking at an alarming rate. This is primarily caused by logging, agricultural expansion, and human settlement.

These intelligent primates rely heavily on the forest for food, shelter, and social structures. The loss of habitat leads to fragmentation of Chimpanzee communities, making it challenging for them to find food, mate, and avoid predators.

Unlike other species, Chimpanzees have complex social systems and tool-use behaviours deeply rooted in their forest homes. This makes habitat loss particularly detrimental.

Conservation efforts are underway but must be intensified to protect these endangered relatives of humans.

Orangutan

Orangutans, primarily found in the tropical forests of Indonesia and Malaysia, are critically endangered due to rampant deforestation.

The primary driver of their habitat loss is the expansion of palm oil plantations and other forms of agriculture and human development.

Orangutans share 96.4% of their DNA with humans, yet this close relative faces an existential threat. The slow reproductive rates of females, who give birth every 3-5 years, exacerbate their decline. Conservation efforts are imperative to halt their march towards extinction.

Giant Panda

The Giant Panda, an icon of conservation, is native to the mountain forests of China.

Despite a status upgrade from 'Endangered' to 'Vulnerable,' these mammals still face habitat loss and fragmentation challenges.

Once inhabiting lowland regions, deforestation and human activities like farming have confined them to mountainous zones and conservation sites. Ongoing efforts to preserve their habitat must continue to ensure their survival.

Asian Elephant

The Pygmy Elephant, the smallest elephant species, is found in parts of Africa and on the island of Borneo. Removing acres of forest for agricultural expansion, particularly for plantations, poses a grave risk to their survival.

The species is critically endangered, with an estimated population of less than 1,500 remaining in the wild.

Their large size belies their vulnerability to habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict. The diminishing forests also make them an easier target for poachers seeking their tusks.

Jaguar

Scientific Name: Panthera onca
Habitat: Tropical Rainforests, Swamps, Grasslands
Range: Central and South America
Vulnerabilities: Habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, poaching
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened

The Jaguar, predominantly found in the rainforests of Latin America, faces significant threats from deforestation and habitat fragmentation.

Once ranging extensively across the Americas, Jaguars are confined to increasingly isolated forest patches.

A primary factor for their decline is habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and human settlements.

Moreover, as top predators, they are vital for maintaining the health and diversity of their ecosystems. The near-threatened status of Jaguars signals an urgent need for targeted conservation efforts to protect these majestic animals and their diminishing habitats.

Birds: songs silenced in the forest

Many avian species rely on the ecological niche offered by forested land. The destruction of trees causes numerous avian species to lose suitable habitats.

Forest-dependent bird species exhibit specialised habits and adaptations. This increases their susceptibility to the adverse effects of habitat degradation and destruction.

The effects include population decreases, loss of unique behaviours, and the potential extinction of certain species.

Harpy Eagle

The Harpy Eagle, native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, is suffering from widespread deforestation.

This apex predator requires large, contiguous forest areas to hunt. Still, habitat loss and fragmentation make survival increasingly difficult for the species.

Their critical role in controlling populations of smaller animals is vital for maintaining ecological balance.

Javan Hawk-Eagle

Endemic to the Indonesian island of Java, the Javan Hawk-Eagle faces severe threats from deforestation and the illegal pet trade.

This bird of prey relies on the island's rapidly diminishing tropical forests for hunting and nesting. Conservation efforts are critical for this endangered species.

Philippine Eagle

The Philippine Eagle, one of the largest and most powerful birds of prey, is critically endangered due to extensive deforestation in its native habitat.

With fewer places to nest and hunt, this majestic eagle faces an uphill battle for survival. Immediate and aggressive conservation efforts are necessary to prevent extinction.

Yellow-eared Parrot

Found in the Andean cloud forests of Colombia and Ecuador, the Yellow-eared Parrot faces endangerment primarily due to habitat loss from deforestation.

Essential for seed dispersion, this parrot plays a crucial role in its ecosystem, making its survival crucial for the health of its habitat.

Forest Owlet

The Forest Owlet, native to the deciduous forests of Central India, is critically endangered mainly due to habitat loss from logging and conversion to agriculture.

Given its limited range and diminishing numbers, urgent conservation measures are needed.

Alagoas Curassow

The Alagoas Curassow, initially found in Brazil's Atlantic Forests, is now considered extinct in the wild. This devastating status is due to extreme habitat loss and hunting.

Currently, efforts are being made to reintroduce the species from captive populations.

Amphibians: vulnerable ecosystem defenders

Frogs and salamanders are organisms with heightened sensory perception that are commonly observed inhabiting forested environments or in close proximity to such ecosystems.

These organisms rely on leaf litter and water features to establish nesting sites and ensure their safety,

Amphibians have a heightened susceptibility to the adverse effects of deforestation, including water pollution, temperature fluctuations, and humidity levels.

The loss of forests exacerbates the already precarious condition of numerous amphibian species.

Golden Toad

The Golden Toad was native to the montane cloud forests of Costa Rica and was last seen in 1989.

Its extinction is primarily attributed to deforestation and climate change. This brightly coloured amphibian was a cautionary tale about the rapid biodiversity loss due to human actions.

Harlequin Toad

Harlequin Toads, comprising various species, are primarily found in Central and South America's tropical forests.

The Harlequin Toad's striking colours belie its vulnerability. Deforestation has led to habitat loss and fragmentation, while pollution from agricultural runoff has poisoned its home streams.

Conservation efforts are ongoing but face many challenges, including illegal hunting for the pet trade.

Panamanian Golden Frog

This brightly coloured frog is native to the rainforests of Panama. Deforestation and habitat destruction have severely impacted its natural habitat.

Additionally, the chytrid fungus disease and pollution from agricultural runoff pose significant threats. Intense conservation efforts, including captive breeding, are underway.

This species, a symbol of good luck in Panamanian culture, now primarily exists in captivity.

Hellbender

The Hellbender is a large salamander native to the United States that relies on clean, fast-flowing streams.

These amphibians serve as indicators of entire ecosystem health, making their declining numbers a concern for broader biodiversity.

The Hellbender is suffering from habitat degradation due to deforestation, which leads to increased sedimentation and water pollution. These factors have contributed to its near-threatened status.

Mountain Chicken Frog

Found in the Caribbean, the Mountain Chicken Frog has seen its habitat diminish due to deforestation for agriculture and human settlement. It's also severely affected by the chytrid fungus disease.

Its distinctive vocalisations are now rarely heard in its native range.

Axolotl

The Axolotl faces critical endangerment. Native to lakes around Mexico City, these lakes are shrinking due to urbanisation and polluted by waste, making it difficult for Axolotls to survive in their natural habitat.

This fascinating creature, capable of regenerating lost body parts, now primarily exists in captivity.

Effects on marine life

Deforestation's impact on water quality devastates aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

Marine life is additionally negatively impacted by the degradation of forests. Forests can mitigate and regulate water flow through the utilisation of buffering mechanisms.

Deforestation releases additional sediments and contaminants into the adjacent rivers and oceans, causing detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems.

Consequently, this phenomenon significantly affects the biodiversity of marine life.

Mangrove Jack

Scientific Name: Lutjanus argentimaculatus
Habitat: Mangrove Forests, Estuaries
Range: Indo-Pacific
Vulnerabilities: Habitat loss, overfishing
IUCN Red List Status: Data Deficient

The Mangrove Jack is an Indo-Pacific fish species that thrives in mangrove forests and estuaries, areas heavily impacted by deforestation and pollution.

As juveniles, they rely on the roots of mangrove trees for shelter. These ecosystems are also critical for their food supply, which makes their survival precarious due to ongoing habitat loss.

Coral Reefs

Habitat: Shallow Tropical Waters
Range: Global
Vulnerabilities: Ocean acidification, temperature changes, overfishing
IUCN Red List Status: Various species at risk

Coral Reefs are not a single species but an ecosystem home to countless marine animals. They are biodiversity hotspots that are declining due to multiple threats.

They are particularly susceptible to water quality, which can be compromised by sedimentation caused by deforestation and land use change.

They are not only habitats but also protectors of coastlines, making their health vital for various marine species and human communities.

Dugong

Dugongs, often called 'sea cows,' rely on seagrass meadows for their diet. These meadows are impacted when deforestation leads to sedimentation and pollution in coastal waters.

Such environmental changes cause declines in seagrass, placing Dugongs at risk of starvation and habitat loss.

Hawksbill Turtle

The illegal trade of their shells primarily threatens Hawksbill Turtles. Coastal development and deforestation, which affect water cycles, lead to the loss of nesting and feeding habitats, further endangering marine reptiles.

Green Turtle

Green Turtles face threats similar to their Hawksbill cousins. Additionally, their feeding grounds in seagrass meadows are declining due to sedimentation from deforestation and coastal development.

They rely on beaches for nesting, which are increasingly disturbed by human activity.

Atlantic Tarpon

Atlantic Tarpon are sport fish that are increasingly threatened due to overfishing. Loss of estuarine habitats, where juveniles grow, is another significant issue.

These habitats are compromised by mangrove deforestation and water pollution.

How does deforestation affect animal habitats?

The impact of deforestation on animals and their ecosystems has many detrimental effects.

Fragmentation of forests

Fragmentation of forest ecosystems reduces the viability of numerous species by dividing habitats into scattered patches.

A smaller habitat patch has a limited capacity to support a reduced number of resources.

As a result, a decrease in genetic diversity can lead to an increased susceptibility to diseases and a higher likelihood of population decline or extinction.

Loss of forest cover and shelter

The canopy layer of the forest, formed by the uppermost branches of towering trees, provides shelter and protection for a wide variety of species.

Removing this canopy exposes species to environmental stressors and predation. The deprivation of shelter also disrupts the nesting habitats of animals and birds.

Resources for food and water are being destroyed

Apart from providing habitats for various animal species, forests also serve as abundant reservoirs of sustenance and clean water resources.

Many organisms are malnourished due to the depletion of vital resources such as nuts, fruits, and insects.

Habitat loss

The potential consequence of deforestation is the entire disappearance of optimal habitats for certain species.

For example, certain arboreal ape species exhibit a complete need for forest ecosystems for survival. If the habitats of these creatures are lost, they are at significant risk of extinction.

The ecological domino effect

Deforestation has a cascading effect, exacerbating the environmental crisis.

Weakened defences as a result of illness and hunger

Deforestation reduces a species' ecological niche. This increases disease and malnutrition vulnerability, negatively affecting animal well-being and sustenance.

Deforestation also increases human-animal interactions, increasing the likelihood of zoonotic diseases being transmitted across different species. Deforestation may also increase the frequency of interactions between humans and diverse animal species.

The threat of predation and natural disasters

Vulnerable species are more powerless against predators without the protective cover of the forest.

Tree cover loss may also make some species vulnerable to natural disasters such as landslides and floods. Such incidents can further decimate the populations of wild animals.

Impacts on climate change

Deforestation significantly influences global climate patterns while also affecting the biodiversity of forest-dwelling organisms.

Disrupting the carbon cycle

Forests, known as the "respiratory system" of the planet, absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis. Unplanned cutting of trees releases stored carbon into the environment, causing the emission of CO2.

Carbon emissions elevate global temperatures and disrupt the natural carbon cycle, contributing to global warming. Forest protection is crucial to safeguard planetary well-being and mitigate the climate crisis.

Therefore, it is essential to conserve forests to minimise these effects.

Extreme weather events

The destruction of forests has the potential to disrupt weather patterns.

Trees play a key role in regulating temperature, humidity, and precipitation. Disruptions can have significant impacts on precipitation patterns as well as the frequency and intensity of meteorological events and wildfires.

Subsequently, this phenomenon can impact the quality of life, agricultural practices, and availability of water supplies within nearby towns.

Conservation techniques

We need thorough and successful conservation strategies to counter the effects of deforestation and its catastrophic consequences. Here are some crucial strategies:

1. Biodiversity strongholds established as protected areas

2. Reforestation and Afforestation

3. Adapt Sustainable Logging Practices

4. Community Engagement

5. Collaboration with international organisations

6. Consumer Education

Biodiversity strongholds established as protected areas

Protected areas and wildlife reserves must be created and maintained to preserve biodiversity. These places offer a haven for endangered species and support ecological balance. The success of these areas depends on strict enforcement of the law.

Reforestation and afforestation

Whether in deforested areas or by converting disturbed lands into forests (afforestation), efforts to replant and restore forests are essential. Reforestation supports biodiversity recovery while restoring habitats and aiding in carbon sequestration.

Sustainable approaches to addressing our declining forests

Adapt sustainable logging practices

Promoting sustainable logging practices is essential in areas where illegal logging is a significant industry. While still addressing human economic needs, methods like selective logging and reduced-impact logging can minimise forest damage.

Community engagement

Participating in the community in conservation initiatives can have a significant impact. It is crucial to implement sustainable development projects that offer alternative means of subsistence, educational initiatives, and programmes that enable local communities to defend their forests.

Collaboration with international organisations

Effectively slowing deforestation rates necessitates international collaboration.

International agreements like the Paris Agreement and institutions like the United Nations enhance global initiatives to address deforestation and the impacts of climate change.

Consumer education

Consumers can contribute to the fight against deforestation as well. Supporting businesses that ethically source goods can promote sustainability.

Summing up

Deforestation significantly impacts biodiversity, habitats, and climate change, threatening various native species and escalating climate change.

Prompt measures are needed to restore forest ecosystems and protect the Earth's welfare.

Conservation efforts at national and international levels are crucial for a sustainable future.

Frequently asked questions

What is the biggest driver of deforestation?

How many animals die from deforestation every day?

Which animal is least affected by deforestation?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
How is deforestation affecting animals? Learn how removing trees threatens wildlife and entire ecosystems. From habitat loss to climate change.