Okay, here’s a detailed article summarizing the report on record-high deforestation in 2024, focusing on the key findings and providing context to make it easy to understand, based on the information that the World Resources Institute (WRI) reported on the 4th of June 2025:
Record Deforestation in 2024: World Resources Institute Reports Equivalent of 18 Football Fields Lost Every Minute in Tropics
According to a report released by the World Resources Institute (WRI) on June 4th, 2025, the world experienced a record year for forest loss in 2024. The findings are deeply concerning, highlighting the urgent need for intensified global efforts to protect and restore forests.
Key Findings:
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Record High Deforestation: The total area of forest lost globally in 2024 surpassed all previous years on record. This represents a significant setback in efforts to combat climate change and biodiversity loss.
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Tropical Forests Hit Hardest: The report specifically highlights the devastating impact on tropical forests. The rate of deforestation in these regions is alarming, with an area equivalent to 18 football fields being lost every minute.
Why This Matters:
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Climate Change: Forests play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Deforestation releases this stored carbon, contributing to climate change. The loss of tropical forests is particularly problematic, as they are some of the most carbon-rich ecosystems on the planet.
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Biodiversity Loss: Forests are home to a vast array of plant and animal species. Deforestation destroys habitats, leading to species extinction and a decline in biodiversity. Tropical forests are biodiversity hotspots, meaning they are home to a disproportionately large number of species.
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Ecosystem Services: Forests provide numerous essential ecosystem services, including clean water, soil conservation, and pollination. Deforestation disrupts these services, leading to a range of negative consequences for human well-being.
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Economic Impacts: Deforestation can also have significant economic impacts, particularly for communities that rely on forests for their livelihoods.
What’s Driving Deforestation?
While the WRI report details the extent of deforestation, understanding the causes is crucial for developing effective solutions. The primary drivers of deforestation typically include:
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Agriculture: Conversion of forests to agricultural land for crops (such as soy, palm oil, and beef) is a major driver.
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Logging: Both legal and illegal logging operations contribute to deforestation.
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Mining: Mining activities can lead to deforestation as forests are cleared to access minerals.
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Infrastructure Development: Construction of roads, dams, and other infrastructure projects can also result in forest loss.
What Can Be Done?
Addressing the issue of deforestation requires a multi-faceted approach, including:
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Strengthening Forest Protection Laws: Governments need to enact and enforce strong laws to protect forests from illegal logging, land clearing, and other threats.
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Sustainable Agriculture: Promoting sustainable agricultural practices that reduce the need for deforestation is essential. This includes increasing yields on existing farmland, reducing food waste, and promoting plant-based diets.
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Supporting Local Communities: Empowering local communities to manage and protect forests is crucial. This includes providing them with secure land tenure rights and access to resources.
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Investing in Forest Restoration: Restoring degraded forests can help to sequester carbon, enhance biodiversity, and provide ecosystem services.
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Consumer Awareness: Consumers can play a role by making informed choices about the products they buy. Choosing products that are certified as sustainably sourced can help to reduce deforestation.
Conclusion:
The WRI’s report on record deforestation in 2024 serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to protect and restore forests. The loss of these vital ecosystems has far-reaching consequences for the climate, biodiversity, and human well-being. By taking concerted action, we can reverse the trend of deforestation and create a more sustainable future for all.
世界資源研究所、2024年の森林消失面積は過去最大で熱帯では毎分サッカー場18面分と報告
The AI has delivered the news.
The following question was used to generate the response from Google Gemini:
At 2025-06-04 01:00, ‘世界資源研究所、2024年の森林消失面積は過去最大で熱帯では毎分サッカー場18面分と報告’ was published according to 環境イノベーション情報機構. Please write a detailed article with related information in an easy-to-understand manner. Please answer in English.
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