{"id":1024,"date":"2021-04-26T15:11:09","date_gmt":"2021-04-26T15:11:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/?p=1024"},"modified":"2022-07-01T14:57:55","modified_gmt":"2022-07-01T14:57:55","slug":"deforestation-before-and-after-facts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/","title":{"rendered":"Deforestation: Before and After Facts"},"content":{"rendered":"<center><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RaNhj3EDZJA\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/center><center><em>This video will provide you with some before and after facts about deforestation<\/em><\/center><!-- \/wp:embed -->\r\n<p style=\"margin-top: 20px;\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\r\n<p>Deforestation involves clearing trees and other vegetation from a forested or wooded area.<span id='easy-footnote-1-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-1-1024' title='www.dictionary.com. (2019). the definition of deforestation. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.dictionary.com\/browse\/deforestation.'><sup>1<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Removing trees fundamentally changes the land. It affects wildlife, ecosystems, weather patterns and even the climate.<span id='easy-footnote-2-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-2-1024' title='Nunez, C. (2019). Deforestation and Its Effect on the Planet. [online] Environment. Available at: https:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/environment\/article\/deforestation.'><sup>2<\/sup><\/a><\/span> The effects of deforestation, before and after it takes place, are dramatic and often tragic.<\/p>\r\n<!-- wp:heading -->\r\n<h2>Deforestation increases the Earth&#8217;s temperature\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\r\n<p>The severity of the annual average hottest day in Europe, North America and Asia has significantly increased due to deforestation.<span id='easy-footnote-3-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-3-1024' title='Dunne, D. (2018). Deforestation has driven up hottest day temperatures, study says | Carbon Brief. [online] Carbon Brief. Available at: https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/deforestation-has-driven-up-hottest-day-temperatures.'><sup>3<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Razing forests often increases both land-surface and near-surface temperatures.<span id='easy-footnote-4-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-4-1024' title='Stoy, P.C. (2018). Deforestation intensifies hot days. Nature Climate Change, 8(5), pp.366\u2013368.'><sup>4<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\r\n<p>For instance, trees\u2019 foliage blocks heat from the sun. This has a cooling effect.<span id='easy-footnote-5-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-5-1024' title='Pearce, F. (2018). Rivers in the Sky: How Deforestation Is Affecting Global Water Cycles. [online] Yale E360. Available at: https:\/\/e360.yale.edu\/features\/how-deforestation-affecting-global-water-cycles-climate-change.'><sup>5<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Planting more trees can therefore help to prevent any further increase in the hottest days&#8217; temperatures.<span id='easy-footnote-6-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-6-1024' title='Dunne, D. (2018). Deforestation has driven up hottest day temperatures, study says | Carbon Brief. [online] Carbon Brief. Available at: https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/deforestation-has-driven-up-hottest-day-temperatures.'><sup>6<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\r\n<p>Another vital way trees help to cool down their local climate is through evapotranspiration.<span id='easy-footnote-7-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-7-1024' title='Dunne, D. (2018). Deforestation has driven up hottest day temperatures, study says | Carbon Brief. [online] Carbon Brief. Available at: https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/deforestation-has-driven-up-hottest-day-temperatures.'><sup>7<\/sup><\/a><\/span> This is the process by which water transfers from the ground to water vapour.<span id='easy-footnote-8-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-8-1024' title='Encyclopedia Britannica. (n.d.). Evapotranspiration | Earth science. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/evapotranspiration.'><sup>8<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\r\n<p>Trees and other plants play a significant role in the water cycle. They take up water in their roots, and it evaporates through their leaves.<span id='easy-footnote-9-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-9-1024' title='Encyclopedia Britannica. (n.d.). Evapotranspiration | Earth science. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/evapotranspiration.'><sup>9<\/sup><\/a><\/span> A large oak tree can transpire 151,000 litres of water per year.<span id='easy-footnote-10-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-10-1024' title='USGS (2018). Evapotranspiration and the Water Cycle. [online] Usgs.gov. Available at: https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/special-topic\/water-science-school\/science\/evapotranspiration-and-water-cycle?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects.'><sup>10<\/sup><\/a><\/span> The moisture has a cooling effect on the air above.<span id='easy-footnote-11-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-11-1024' title='Dunne, D. (2018). Deforestation has driven up hottest day temperatures, study says | Carbon Brief. [online] Carbon Brief. Available at: https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/deforestation-has-driven-up-hottest-day-temperatures.'><sup>11<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\r\n<h3>Forests and rainfall<\/h3>\r\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\r\n<p>Forests also produce rainfall.<span id='easy-footnote-12-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-12-1024' title='Learning from Nature. (2020). How trees make rain. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.learningfromnature.com.au\/drought-proof-increasing-rainfall\/#:~:text=Yes%2C%20it.'><sup>12<\/sup><\/a><\/span> As they release water vapour through their leaves, trees create clouds.<span id='easy-footnote-13-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-13-1024' title='www.wwf.org.au. (n.d.). Rain farming, drought assistance for tomorrow. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.wwf.org.au\/news\/blogs\/rain-farming-drought-assistance-for-tomorrow#gs.xm2n2i [Accessed 31 Mar. 2021].'><sup>13<\/sup><\/a><\/span> The destruction of tropical forests subsequently disrupts the movement of water in the atmosphere.<span id='easy-footnote-14-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-14-1024' title='Pearce, F. (2018). Rivers in the Sky: How Deforestation Is Affecting Global Water Cycles. [online] Yale E360. Available at: https:\/\/e360.yale.edu\/features\/how-deforestation-affecting-global-water-cycles-climate-change.'><sup>14<\/sup><\/a><\/span> This can reduce rainfall and even cause droughts.<span id='easy-footnote-15-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-15-1024' title='Pearce, F. (2018). Rivers in the Sky: How Deforestation Is Affecting Global Water Cycles. [online] Yale E360. Available at: https:\/\/e360.yale.edu\/features\/how-deforestation-affecting-global-water-cycles-climate-change.'><sup>15<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\r\n<p>The Sahel region of Africa provides an example of this. Between the Sahara desert and the Sudanian savanna, this area has been affected by droughts for decades.<span id='easy-footnote-16-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-16-1024' title='We Are Water. (2019). The Sahel, desertification beyond drought. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.wearewater.org\/en\/the-sahel-desertification-beyond-drought_318262.'><sup>16<\/sup><\/a><\/span> One of the leading causes is vegetation and land degradation.<span id='easy-footnote-17-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-17-1024' title='Epule, E.T., Peng, C., Lepage, L. and Chen, Z. (2013). The causes, effects and challenges of Sahelian droughts: a critical review. Regional Environmental Change, 14(1), pp.145\u2013156.'><sup>17<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Deforestation has helped to reduce the amount of rainfall across the Sahel.<span id='easy-footnote-18-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-18-1024' title='Epule, E.T., Peng, C., Lepage, L. and Chen, Z. (2013). The causes, effects and challenges of Sahelian droughts: a critical review. Regional Environmental Change, 14(1), pp.145\u2013156.'><sup>18<\/sup><\/a><\/span> It has prevented food crops from growing, leading to famine.<span id='easy-footnote-19-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-19-1024' title='Epule, E.T., Peng, C., Lepage, L. and Chen, Z. (2013). The causes, effects and challenges of Sahelian droughts: a critical review. Regional Environmental Change, 14(1), pp.145\u2013156.'><sup>19<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\r\n<p>To combat this, the African Union is planting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatgreenwall.org\/about-great-green-wall\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a Great Green Wall of trees<\/a>.<span id='easy-footnote-20-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-20-1024' title='Green, G. (2014). Great Green Wall. [online] Great Green Wall. Available at: https:\/\/www.greatgreenwall.org\/about-great-green-wall.'><sup>20<\/sup><\/a><\/span> It will be 10 miles wide and 4,350 miles long.<span id='easy-footnote-21-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-21-1024' title='Morrison, J. (2016). The \u201cGreat Green Wall\u201d Didn\u2019t Stop Desertification, but it Evolved Into Something That Might. [online] Smithsonian. Available at: https:\/\/www.smithsonianmag.com\/science-nature\/great-green-wall-stop-desertification-not-so-much-180960171\/.'><sup>21<\/sup><\/a><\/span> The Great Green Wall will span the entire continent and necessitate planting in 20 countries.<span id='easy-footnote-22-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-22-1024' title='Unccd.int. (2010). The Great Green Wall Initiative | UNCCD. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.unccd.int\/actions\/great-green-wall-initiative.'><sup>22<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Regenerating 100 million hectares of degenerated land by encouraging vegetation to grow will prevent desertification from the Sahara.<span id='easy-footnote-23-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-23-1024' title='Unccd.int. (2010). The Great Green Wall Initiative | UNCCD. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.unccd.int\/actions\/great-green-wall-initiative.'><sup>23<\/sup><\/a><\/span> It will also create some 10 million green jobs.<span id='easy-footnote-24-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-24-1024' title='Unccd.int. (2010). The Great Green Wall Initiative | UNCCD. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.unccd.int\/actions\/great-green-wall-initiative.'><sup>24<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\r\n<p>Moreover, the Great Green Wall will absorb about 250 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).<span id='easy-footnote-25-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-25-1024' title='Unccd.int. (2010). The Great Green Wall Initiative | UNCCD. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.unccd.int\/actions\/great-green-wall-initiative.'><sup>25<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":1028,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-image-1028\" src=\"https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/800wm.jpeg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/800wm.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/800wm-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/800wm-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/800wm-750x422.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:heading -->\r\n<h2>Deforestation before and after: Effects on CO2<\/h2>\r\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\r\n<p>Deforestation causes 10 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions.<span id='easy-footnote-26-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-26-1024' title='Rainforest Alliance. (2018). What is the Relationship Between Deforestation And Climate Change? [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.rainforest-alliance.org\/articles\/relationship-between-deforestation-climate-change.'><sup>26<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Removing forests has a two-fold effect on CO2.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\r\n<p>Firstly, trees naturally <a href=\"https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/how-much-co2-does-a-tree-absorb\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">absorb and store large quantities of CO2<\/a>.<span id='easy-footnote-27-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-27-1024' title='Environment. (2019). How to erase 100 years of carbon emissions? Plant trees. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/environment\/article\/how-to-erase-100-years-carbon-emissions-plant-trees.'><sup>27<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Through photosynthesis, they use sunlight, carbon and water to produce food.<span id='easy-footnote-28-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-28-1024' title='Sciencing. (2018). How Do Trees Turn Carbon Dioxide into Oxygen? [online] Available at: https:\/\/sciencing.com\/trees-turn-carbon-dioxide-oxygen-10034022.html.'><sup>28<\/sup><\/a><\/span> In the process, carbon is sequestered in the tree itself and the surrounding soil.<span id='easy-footnote-29-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-29-1024' title='Penn State Extension. (n.d.). How Forests Store Carbon. [online] Available at: https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/how-forests-store-carbon.'><sup>29<\/sup><\/a><\/span> By destroying our forests, we are preventing trees from removing CO2 from the atmosphere.<\/p>\r\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\r\n<p>Secondly, chopping trees down, burning them or letting them rot releases the carbon they have stored.<span id='easy-footnote-30-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-30-1024' title='Penn State Extension. (n.d.). How Forests Store Carbon. [online] Available at: https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/how-forests-store-carbon.'><sup>30<\/sup><\/a><\/span> It combines with oxygen in the air to form carbon dioxide. In this gaseous form, it enters the Earth\u2019s atmosphere. There, it prevents heat from escaping into space.<span id='easy-footnote-31-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-31-1024' title='NASA (2018). The Causes of Climate Change. [online] Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. Available at: https:\/\/climate.nasa.gov\/causes\/.'><sup>31<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\r\n<p>This is \u201cthe most important long-lived \u2018forcing\u2019 of climate change\u201d, according to NASA.<span id='easy-footnote-32-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-32-1024' title='NASA (2018). The Causes of Climate Change. [online] Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. Available at: https:\/\/climate.nasa.gov\/causes\/.'><sup>32<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:heading -->\r\n<h2>Deforestation before and after in the Amazon rainforest<\/h2>\r\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\r\n<p>The Amazon rainforest is the largest in the world. It covers 6.9 million square kilometres (2.72 million square miles).<span id='easy-footnote-33-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-33-1024' title='Butler, R.A. (2017). Facts about the Amazon Rainforest. [online] Mongabay.com. Available at: https:\/\/rainforests.mongabay.com\/amazon\/amazon-rainforest-facts.html.'><sup>33<\/sup><\/a><\/span> However, it is also suffering considerable and unsustainable rates of deforestation.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\r\n<p>Tree cover losses in 2020 were 11,088 square kilometres.<span id='easy-footnote-34-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-34-1024' title='Silva Junior, C.H.L., Pess\u00f4a, A.C.M., Carvalho, N.S., Reis, J.B.C., Anderson, L.O. and Arag\u00e3o, L.E.O.C. (2021). The Brazilian Amazon deforestation rate in 2020 is the greatest of the decade. Nature Ecology &amp;amp; Evolution, [online] 5(2), pp.144\u2013145. Available at: https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41559-020-01368-x.'><sup>34<\/sup><\/a><\/span> This is the highest rate in the past decade.<span id='easy-footnote-35-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-35-1024' title='Silva Junior, C.H.L., Pess\u00f4a, A.C.M., Carvalho, N.S., Reis, J.B.C., Anderson, L.O. and Arag\u00e3o, L.E.O.C. (2021). The Brazilian Amazon deforestation rate in 2020 is the greatest of the decade. Nature Ecology &amp;amp; Evolution, [online] 5(2), pp.144\u2013145. Available at: https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41559-020-01368-x.'><sup>35<\/sup><\/a><\/span> The forest\u2019s average temperature has risen by 1 to 1.5\u00b0C in the past century as a result.<span id='easy-footnote-36-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-36-1024' title='Amigo, I. (2020). When will the Amazon hit a tipping point? Nature, 578(7796), pp.505\u2013507.'><sup>36<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\r\n<h3>Ability to absorb CO2<\/h3>\r\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\r\n<p>Deforestation has severe consequences for the Amazon. For instance, it currently absorbs two billion tons of CO2 per year.<span id='easy-footnote-37-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-37-1024' title='AP NEWS. (2019). AP Explains: Role of the Amazon in global climate change. [online] Available at: https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/384fdb5ee7654667b53ddb49efce8023.'><sup>37<\/sup><\/a><\/span> This represents five per cent of all yearly emissions.<span id='easy-footnote-38-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-38-1024' title='AP NEWS. (2019). AP Explains: Role of the Amazon in global climate change. [online] Available at: https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/384fdb5ee7654667b53ddb49efce8023.'><sup>38<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Yet, its ability to soak up carbon is being severely weakened by deforestation.<\/p>\r\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\r\n<p>In the past decade, the amount of carbon absorbed by the Amazon rainforest has fallen by about a third. It now stores one billion tonnes of CO2 less than it did in the 1990s. This equates to twice the UK\u2019s annual emissions.<span id='easy-footnote-39-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-39-1024' title='Carbon Brief. (2016). Amazon rainforest is taking up a third less carbon than a decade ago | Carbon Brief. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/amazon-rainforest-is-taking-up-a-third-less-carbon-than-a-decade-ago.'><sup>39<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\r\n<p>There is a serious risk that deforestation will soon cause the Amazon to become a net source of carbon.<span id='easy-footnote-40-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-40-1024' title='Mongabay Environmental News. (2021). Amazon is on the brink of turning into a carbon source, study warns. [online] Available at: https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2021\/01\/amazon-is-on-the-brink-of-turning-into-a-carbon-source-study-warns\/.'><sup>40<\/sup><\/a><\/span> The forest degradation taking place under Brazilain President Bolsonaro could push it over the brink.<span id='easy-footnote-41-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-41-1024' title='Mongabay Environmental News. (2021). Amazon is on the brink of turning into a carbon source, study warns. [online] Available at: https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2021\/01\/amazon-is-on-the-brink-of-turning-into-a-carbon-source-study-warns\/.'><sup>41<\/sup><\/a><\/span> The rate of deforestation has increased by as much as 92 per cent since Bolsonaro\u2019s inauguration.<span id='easy-footnote-42-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-42-1024' title='Sandy, M. (2019). The Amazon Rain Forest Is Nearly Gone. We Went to the Front Lines to See If It Could Be Saved. [online] Time. Available at: https:\/\/time.com\/amazon-rainforest-disappearing\/.'><sup>42<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Between March and May 2020 alone, his government passed 195 executive acts to directly or indirectly dismantle or bypass environmental laws.<span id='easy-footnote-43-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-43-1024' title='Mongabay Environmental News. (2020). Brazil dismantles environmental laws via huge surge in executive acts: Study. [online] Available at: https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2020\/08\/brazil-end-runs-environmental-laws-via-huge-surge-in-executive-acts-study\/.'><sup>43<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\r\n<h3>The Amazon\u2019s tipping point<\/h3>\r\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\r\n<p>Scientists predict that if deforestation affects 20 to 25 per cent of the Amazon, about 60 to 70 per cent of the rainforest will transform into savanna.<span id='easy-footnote-44-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-44-1024' title='Deforestation, W. (2019). Will Deforestation and Warming Push the Amazon to a Tipping Point? [online] Yale E360. Available at: https:\/\/e360.yale.edu\/features\/will-deforestation-and-warming-push-the-amazon-to-a-tipping-point.'><sup>44<\/sup><\/a><\/span> The process will take less than 50 years.<span id='easy-footnote-45-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-45-1024' title='Mongabay Environmental News. (2021). Amazon is on the brink of turning into a carbon source, study warns. [online] Available at: https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2021\/01\/amazon-is-on-the-brink-of-turning-into-a-carbon-source-study-warns\/.'><sup>45<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0We are already close to this tipping point.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":1174,\"width\":768,\"height\":512,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img class=\"wp-image-1174\" src=\"https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/desertification-and-climate-change-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"deforestation before and after\r\n\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/desertification-and-climate-change-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/desertification-and-climate-change-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/desertification-and-climate-change-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/desertification-and-climate-change-750x500.jpg 750w, https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/desertification-and-climate-change-1140x760.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/desertification-and-climate-change.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\r\n<h3>Parts of the Amazon forest experiencing droughts<\/h3>\r\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\r\n<p>The Amazon basin has experienced severe droughts three times since 2005.<span id='easy-footnote-46-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-46-1024' title='Amigo, I. (2020). When will the Amazon hit a tipping point? Nature, 578(7796), pp.505\u2013507.'><sup>46<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Fires burned through the region throughout 2019 and 2020.<span id='easy-footnote-47-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-47-1024' title='Amigo, I. (2020). When will the Amazon hit a tipping point? Nature, 578(7796), pp.505\u2013507.'><sup>47<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Since 2000, rainfall has declined across 69 per cent of the Amazon rainforest.<span id='easy-footnote-48-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-48-1024' title='Mongabay Environmental News. (2014). Amazon rainforest is getting drier, confirms another study. [online] Available at: https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2014\/10\/amazon-rainforest-is-getting-drier-confirms-another-study\/#:~:text=It%20finds%20that%20since%202000.'><sup>48<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\r\n<p>Two years ago, an estimated 17 per cent of the rainforest had already been lost.<span id='easy-footnote-49-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-49-1024' title='Sandy, M. (2019). The Amazon Rain Forest Is Nearly Gone. We Went to the Front Lines to See If It Could Be Saved. [online] Time. Available at: https:\/\/time.com\/amazon-rainforest-disappearing\/.'><sup>49<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Losing much more would be disastrous for the one in 10 known species on Earth that reside there.<span id='easy-footnote-50-1024' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-before-and-after-facts\/#easy-footnote-bottom-50-1024' title='WWF (2010). What animals live in the Amazon? And 8 other Amazon facts. [online] World Wildlife Fund. Available at: https:\/\/www.worldwildlife.org\/stories\/what-animals-live-in-the-amazon-and-8-other-amazon-facts.'><sup>50<\/sup><\/a><\/span> It would also be catastrophic for the entire planet\u2019s climate.<\/p>\r\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\r\n<p>Unless we protect and enhance our remaining forests now, we will lose these unique and biodiverse places forever.<\/p>\r\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This video will provide you with some before and after facts about deforestation Deforestation involves clearing trees and other vegetation from a forested or wooded area. Removing trees fundamentally changes the land. It affects wildlife, ecosystems, weather patterns and even the climate. The effects of deforestation, before and after it takes place, are dramatic and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1027,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1,27],"tags":[203,108],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v19.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Deforestation: Before and After Facts - Climate Transform<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Deforestation before and after has a huge impact on the local and regional environment. 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