When you work for a group like RAN, you get lots of questions about deforestation. Here’s a recent Q&A. “Statistics lie” you say? Commentary on our conclusions are welcome encouraged!
Where can I get hard facts on global deforestation?
The UN FAO State of the World’s Forests 2007 gives the most current comprehensive world view, but lacks much detail. The latest detailed look at global deforestation rates is available from the FAO’s Global Forest Resources Assessment 2005. An easy-to-navigate summary of key findings of the 2005 report is available at http://www.greenfacts.org/en/forests
note that the FAO defines forests as land with a tree canopy cover of more than 10 percent and an area of more than half a hectare. FAO says that “forest” includes natural forests and forest plantations<–monoculture tree farms that most would not recognize as “forests” in the traditional sense. So when you hear industry brag that the country has more forests than we did a decade ago, their claim relies on this designation.
How many trees are cut down each year? For what purpose?
- As for how many trees are cut down each year, the 2005 report concludes that primary forest area (as opposed to plantations)was reduced globally by 60,000 square kilometers per year (about the size of Ireland; see: http://www.greenfacts.org/en/forests/index.htm#2). Note that this data is incomplete due to a lack of available data from many countries who do not monitor such change. As to the “number of trees” this represents, it’s impossible to get an accurate count. Tree density in primary forests varies from 50,000-100,000 trees per square km, so the math would put this number at 3 billion to 6 billion trees per year.
- As for what purpose this logging is for, pg. 129 of the 2007 report provides statistics on global production and consumption of woodfuel (charcoal and other energy uses) roundwood (paper and other non-lumber products) and sawnwood (lumber). It estimates global production at 1.7 billion (46 percent) , 1.6 billion (43 percent) and 421 million (11 percent) cubic meters respectively with comparable volumes consumed globally.
How much is this industry worth? How much (in millions) goes to paper vs. construction?
- Incomplete data from the FAO’s 2005 report gives a global value of $64 billion to “wood forest products removals”–$57 billion of which is from industrial roundwood and its derivatives (lumber and paper; see http://www.greenfacts.org/en/forests/l-2/8-economic-social-benefits.htm#0)
- A recent report on illegal logging by The American Forest and Paper Association states that “The global value of 2002 total wood products trade (HTS Chapter 44) can be estimated at approximately $69 billion, based on data available through the Global Trade Information Service (GTIS). Pulp, Paper and Paperboard trade would add another $117 billion, bringing the total value of forest products trade to $186 billion” (link, page 6).
Twitter Updates
I do not know why you all are arguing, but i agree with the people who have said some very good and important things. if you cut trees, plant more. Please do us all a favor and do not argue over something people need in life. What we all are basically doing is proving the fact that some people are immature. I am a very cheery person in life with one request, actually two. 1: if you cut trees, plant more for all of us to live. 2: do not argue over something like this, we all need trees to live.
Because of the money gained from this industry, the use of trees will continue. The research to find other raw materials to create our products costs money that the industry will not spend. I don’t see how there can be any change. It is sad that nothing will be done until it maybe too late.
hello hello and welcome to the show hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello and welcome to the show and welcome to the show!
let it through or ill jump around and say hello >;(
grrrrr >;( hello!
people we need th keep our trees if u want to die beacause we dont have oxegen then stop cutting down trees or at least plant some more dang
i think people dont think about what they are doing when they cut down trees. my little brother doesnt think it is that big of a deal and i just cant tell him how much hes wrong. im only a teen, but im doing a paper on this and im hoping i can make a differnce in the world, wait i can make a differnet world for the young people, the babies, our kids. if i can change of at least help us change u can 2. :)
OMG! We need to stop this insanity!!!!!!!! If we keep cutting down all these trees, WE WILL DIE!!!!!!
I mean, I’m on both sides of the argument. we need trees, but we should limit how much we use them because honestly we need houses, but do we need that many trees to build houses? nope i don’t thank so. Certain websites are forms of propeganda 1 website disses tree huggers, and the other disses tree cutters. we all have our own opinions. thats what helped build america. Both sides are correct, and we should all respect people’s opinions. :D <333 ;)
i think look
at the species the mokey birds exetra that is thre home if we have just one big masssive tree life center or somthing like that were animals cantget in we can use that.
and aswell i forgot about we are cutting down so much a year we can cut down soo much like paper have laptops yes we need paper but the amount we are cutting down. the ammount we waist is huge numbers,
listen to my advise it really will make a change.
stop cut down trees plz
stop cutting down trees or i will kick your big white arse ! ! !
pleze stop cutting down trees or i wil get the animal control on to you coz that whats you r animals !!
less trees less oxygen ! animals live in these forest & live in these trees they are cutting down their homes & medicines are usually found in the rain forest, they can be cutting down the trees & taking away medicines & cure for things we never got to know about or probably never will, just think of the future, when were loww on tree’s & its possible for how much is cut down each year our planet is only 30 % percent tree’s ! “think of it”
There are really plenty of trees, probably as many as there were before people started going to California.
hehehehehe
i am a tree hugger xxxx
this article really helped me with my school paper
im a tree hugger 2
Deforestation is going to continue to happen. All I can say is learn to use bamboo. It is the only way you can save your world. Funny things aside bamboo is a good resource it would save more trees. It grows fast and you can continue to harvest it while it grows. Look up the benefits of bamboo it helps the soil and needs little water. It can be used to build things it’s strong.
borring