Rainforest and deforestation

In short: Tropical rainforests cover only about 6 percent of the land area but are home to more than half of all animal and plant species. They store a lot of carbon and influence the climate.

In more detail: The Amazon rainforest alone is larger than the European Union.

In detail

• Deforestation: For pasture, soy, palm oil, timber and mining.
• Consequences: Loss of biodiversity, more CO₂ in the atmosphere, soil erosion, loss of habitat of indigenous peoples (biodiversitaet-und-artenvielfalt).
• Tipping points: If too much forest is cleared, the ecosystem can turn into savannah.
• Rainmaking: Forests release water to the atmosphere and generate rain.
• Supply chains: Deforestation-free supply chains and EU rules are meant to limit imports from cleared land.
• Consumption: Look for certified timber (FSC), less meat and palm oil (nachhaltig-einkaufen-und-konsumieren).
• Protection: Protected areas, rights of indigenous communities, reforestation (klimawandel-grundlagen).