Rainforests once covered 14% of the earth’s surface. Now they cover just 6%. Nearly half of that loss has occurred in the past 30 years.
Deforestation causes one-fifth of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. That’s more than every car, truck, train and plane on earth. It’s roughly the same amount of CO2 the US emits every year.
The largest rainforest on the planet is the Amazon. It provides 20% of the world’s oxygen, contains one-fifth of the world’s fresh water and covers over one billion acres. By 2030, 60% of this area may be lost.
More than half the world’s plants and animals are found in rainforests. We are losing 137 plant, animal and insect species every single day due to deforestation.
The oldest rainforest in the world is in Southeast Asia. Between 2000 and 2005, Indonesia had the fastest rate of deforestation in the world, destroying an area the equivalent of 300 soccer fields every hour.
Large-scale palm oil plantations are replacing the forests of Indonesia. One in three food products on the supermarket shelves contain palm oil.
25% of Western pharmaceuticals are derived from rainforest ingredients. As the rainforests disappear, so do many possible cures for life-threatening diseases. Less than 1% of tropical trees and plants have been tested by scientists.
If developed countries spent the same amount preventing deforestation and the destruction of peatlands as they do on biofuel subsidies ($22 billion), this would halve the total costs of tackling climate change.
In June, the biggest ever fund to tackle deforestation was announced for the Congo Basin, the second-largest rainforest in the world. The fund is to provide alternative employment to logging, mining and felling trees
Many of the things we use in our daily lives come from the rainforest: timber, paper, medicines, fruit, chocolate, coffee, latex. Look for logos that indicate a product is benefiting the rainforest.
Add your comment
Anonymous comments are queued before publishing and it may take some time before they appear. Please consider creating an account and your comment will appear automatically. If you already have an account, please log in.
Sick and tired of having to use scissors to open your razor packet? Hate filling up your bin with all the plastic left over from wrapped veggies? Here’s a chance to have your say on some of the best and worst packaging on New Zealand’s shelves.
Food's all around us – we just need to learn how to see it, explains the UK foraging queen Alys Fowler. Read on to learn more about finding food in unusual places
Buying pork raises lots of eco and ethical questions – which is not something you want to grapple
with when you’re just after a ham sandwich.
Andy Kenworthy surveys the options
We cultivate the art of slow and bust five common food allergy myths. There are delicious fruity desserts and old-fashioned drinks to make, easy gardening tips, an inspirational glamping guide and the latest on natural body scrubs. Plus we look at the tough topic of slavery in our seas.
Good Fortnightly: Smarter living ideas in your inbox every other Thursday
Packed with tips, ideas and actions—plus the chance to win great prizes and free product samples.
Follow us
Latest comments
Chardonnay on A touch of luxury: Three years this month ago i gave my BFF one of these gorgeous bags from Tamsin for her 40th birthday and we took it on its
…
Helen on A touch of luxury: I travel light ,silk pj's ,plus silk gown ,one change of under and outer wear and 20 mls of luxury body wash and shampoo, but my most specia
…
Sharon on A touch of luxury: Cocktail shaker and glasses and salmon tweezers ; I NEVER travel without them
Angela on A touch of luxury: I'm not one to take a whole bunch of stuff like girly hair straighteners, heels, make up, fancy clothes and accessories etc camping. I must
…
Armywife on A touch of luxury: I never go camping without my usual bedding and coffee machine!! No sleeping bags or instant coffee for me!
Liz Milner on A touch of luxury: Oh My Gosh - this bag is beautiful!
Lynne Ryder on A touch of luxury: I would take enough freshly washed and ironed cotton sheets to change my bed every day PLUS of course the latest copy of Good magazine and i
…
Lynne Ryder on A touch of luxury: I would take enough freshly washed and ironed cotton sheets to change my bed every day PLUS of course the latest copy of Good magazine and i
…
