The globe is experiencing a critical environmental emergency due to the Climate Crisis, with deforestation taking a toll on natural environments. Scientists report that unless action is taken now, the harm could become irreversible, threatening biodiversity as well as human life.
Recent research indicates that the Earth’s average temperature has risen by 1.2°C compared to the pre-industrial period. This increase in temperature has initiated increased and more powerful climate events, such as extended droughts, intense wildfires, and increased sea levels that endanger coastal settlements globally. Meanwhile, forests—literally known as the lungs of the earth—are vanishing at a staggering pace due to the Climate Crisis. Over 10 million hectares of forest disappear yearly because of agriculture, illegal deforestation, and urban growth.
Major Environmental Impacts
- Deforestation lessens the capacity of the Earth to sequester carbon dioxide, making climate change worse.
- Increasing temperatures strengthen heatwaves, wildfires, and hurricanes, impacting millions of people.
- Loss of habitats hastens the loss of biodiversity, bringing many species closer to extinction.
- Air pollution intensifies, worsening respiratory disease and other health impacts.
Governments across the globe are being called upon to implement tougher environmental policies, invest in clean energy, and encourage tree planting initiatives. People also have a role to play by lowering their carbon footprint, advocating for sustainable products, and spreading awareness regarding climate action.
In spite of continued efforts, experts stress that time is of the essence. Without immediate and collective action, our planet’s ecosystems can reach a tipping point, beyond which recovery will be impossible. The demand for urgent climate policies and sustainable practices has never been more urgent.
