Benefits for the Planet
International Forest Carbon Initiative
INTERNATIONAL FOREST CARBON INITIATIVE
The case for action to reduce deforestation
Global deforestation of about 13 million hectares per year results in approximately 20 per cent
of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Momentum has been building for increased international action to address emissions from
deforestation. At the UN climate change negotiations in Bali in December 2007, it was agreed
for the first time that action on deforestation in developing countries should be part of a future
response to climate change.
Trees Absorb a Fifth of Carbon Emissions
Trees absorb a fifth of carbon emissions pumped out by humans
Trees are responsible for absorbing a fifth of man's climate change emissions, scientists have discovered, in the most compelling evidence yet on the need to stop deforestation.
By Louise Gray, Envirionment Correspondent
Last Updated: 9:51PM GMT 18 Feb 2009
Previous studies on the value of the rainforests had concentrated on South America and Asia.
But new research has included tropical forests in Africa to give the most up-to-date picture of the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by trees. It found 4.8 billion tonnes of CO2 are sucked up every year.
Reversing Forest Decline Can Combat Climate Change
Reversing forest decline can combat climate change
Posted: 05 Jan 2009
by Lester R.Brown
The future of the planet's forests must play a big part in efforts to combat climate change says Lester Brown in this latest assessment of the continuing decline in tropical forests - and how that can be reversed.
A huge area of 1645 hectares in Gleba do Pacoval, 100km from Santarem, Amazon, illegally logged to clear land for soya plantations. Photo February 2006.
© Greenpeace / Daniel Beltra
