The Urgent Need to Protect Tropical Forests for Biodiversity and Climate Solutions

Deforestation and climate change

Tropical forests are some of the most biodiverse and ecologically important ecosystems on the planet. They are also critical in the fight against climate change. However, these vital habitats are under constant threat from human activities such as logging, agricultural expansion, and land development. One of the most significant drivers of tropical deforestation is the production of commodities such as beef, soybeans, palm oil, and wood products. According to the World Wildlife Fund, "extensive cattle ranching is the number one culprit of deforestation in virtually every Amazon country, and it accounts for 80% of current deforestation." Not only does this lead to the destruction of important habitats for millions of plant and animal species, but it also releases significant amounts of stored carbon back into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. In this article, we will explore the urgent need to protect tropical forests for biodiversity and climate solutions, and why it is important to take immediate action to address this issue.

One of the most significant drivers of tropical deforestation is the production of commodities such as beef, soybeans, palm oil, and wood products. According to the World Wildlife Fund, "extensive cattle ranching is the number one culprit of deforestation in virtually every Amazon country, and it accounts for 80% of current deforestation." Not only does this lead to the destruction of important habitats for millions of plant and animal species, but it also releases significant amounts of stored carbon back into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.

In addition to the loss of biodiversity, deforestation also has a direct impact on the earth's climate. Trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow and store it in their branches, leaves, trunks, roots, and soil. When forests are cleared or burnt, this stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere, primarily as carbon dioxide. Averaged over 2015-2017, global loss of tropical forests contributed about 4.8 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, or about 8-10% of annual human emissions of carbon dioxide.

Critical deforestation of tropical forests for in Kenya agricultural activities 

The destruction of tropical forests not only threatens the survival of countless species but also undermines the earth's ability to regulate its climate. It's important to note that, ending deforestation alone will not stop climate change, but neither can the need to protect tropical forests and grow them back where they've been cleared be ignored. Tropical forests are also important for regulating regional rainfall and preventing floods and droughts.

While it's clear that reducing deforestation is an important action against global warming, it is not effective to offset greenhouse gas pollution from burning fossil fuels by storing carbon in forests. This is because fossil fuels are pumping much more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than existing forests can absorb. At the same time, carbon stores in forests and other natural carbon sinks will become increasingly unstable as climate change progresses.

It is important to note that while protecting and re-establishing forests can play a crucial role in slowing down the effects of climate change, it is not a substitute for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels. As stated in a study by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), deforestation and forest degradation contribute to about 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. However, the majority of greenhouse gas emissions, approximately 78%, come from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas.

Furthermore, as climate change progresses, the ability of forests to act as carbon sinks will become increasingly unstable. Droughts, heatwaves, tropical storms, and fire weather are becoming more frequent and severe, which will result in more forest losses and the release of more carbon into the atmosphere. In addition, as temperatures rise, the carbon stored in trees and other plants will be broken down more quickly by microorganisms, releasing more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Therefore, while reducing deforestation is a crucial step in addressing climate change, it is not enough on its own. To effectively combat global warming, we must also deeply and rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, in addition to protecting and re-establishing forests. This will not only help to slow down the effects of climate change, but it will also help to protect the planet's biodiversity and support sustainable development.

Protecting natural ecosystems and sustainably managing and re-establishing forests are important ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow down temperature rise in the short term by drawing down carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. However, it's crucial that we also deeply and rapidly reduce global greenhouse gas emissions levels from fossil fuels – coal, oil, and gas. If we do only the former and not the latter, we risk transforming more and more of our carbon sinks into carbon sources as climate change progresses.

In conclusion, tropical forests are vital habitats that must be protected for both biodiversity and climate solutions. The urgent need to take action to reduce deforestation and protect these ecosystems cannot be overstated. We must all take responsibility for reducing our consumption of products that drive deforestation, and support policies and projects that protect and restore these critical habitats.