The Silent Loss That Is Changing Our Planet

Every year, the world loses around 10 million hectares of forest, an area close to the size of Iceland. Forests currently cover about 31% of Earth’s land surface, but that number is shrinking faster than most people realize.

Trees are often seen as a background element of life. In reality, they are one of the main systems that keep the planet stable.

Why Trees Matter More Than We Think

Trees perform critical functions that cannot be replaced by technology.

They absorb carbon dioxide and slow down climate change.
They produce oxygen, enabling life on Earth.
They regulate water cycles, influencing rainfall and groundwater.
They protect soil, preventing erosion and floods.
They host biodiversity, supporting over 80% of terrestrial species.

A single mature tree can absorb up to 22 kg of CO₂ per year. When forests disappear, this natural balance collapses.

What Happens When Forests Are Lost?

Deforestation accelerates some of the most serious global challenges.

Rising global temperatures.
More extreme weather events.
Loss of fertile land for agriculture.
Increased water scarcity.
Mass extinction of species.

These effects do not stay local. Forest loss in one region affects climate, food systems, and ecosystems worldwide.

Why Are Trees Being Cut Down?

The main drivers of deforestation are agricultural expansion for crops and livestock, firewood and charcoal production especially in low-income regions, illegal logging driven by global demand, and urban development and mining.

In many cases, trees are not cut out of indifference, but out of necessity. People often have no sustainable alternatives.

This brings us to an uncomfortable truth.
Protecting forests requires solutions, not just awareness.

In the next post, we will look at a place where this challenge is especially urgent, and how action can make a real difference.