Why Forests Are Disappearing

Future Champions (Ages 11-14) | Climate & Environment

You'll be 38 in 2050. Will forests still exist? YOU decide.

THE CRISIS: 10 BILLION TREES CUT ANNUALLY

• Amazon: Football field every 6 seconds
• Indonesia: Palm oil plantations replacing rainforest
• Africa: Charcoal production
• 80% of land animals live in forests - WHERE WILL THEY GO?

WHY WE NEED FORESTS

• Produce 28% of oxygen
• Store 300 billion tons of carbon
• Home to 80% of land biodiversity
• Regulate rainfall & temperature
• Indigenous peoples' homes

MAIN CAUSES

1. Agriculture (50%): Beef, soy, palm oil
2. Logging (25%): Paper, furniture
3. Development (15%): Cities, roads
4. Fires (10%): Often intentional clearing

YOUR 2050 IMPACT

Without forests: Runaway climate change, species extinction, oxygen decline With reforestation: Climate stabilization, biodiversity recovery

ACTIVITIES

1. Calculate your deforestation footprint (beef, palm oil, paper use)
2. 30-day zero-deforestation challenge (avoid beef, check palm oil)
3. Plant 10 trees or fund reforestation ($1 = 1 tree planted)

1,800 words, deforestation solutions, tree-planting guide