elaborate on what this piece of evidence of deforestation proves on a 8th grade level

Question

“In the last decade, the largest amounts of deforestation occurred across the humid tropics, mostly in Africa, followed by South America. The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that around 420 million hectares of forest were lost between 1990 and 2020 (or 178 million hectares net, i.e. taking into account afforestation and the natural expansion of forests). The annual rate of deforestation has since slowed but was still 10 million hectares per year between 2015 and 2020. The most important driver of deforestation is the global demand for agricultural commodities: agribusinesses clear huge tracts of forest and use the land to plant high-value cash crops like palm oil and soya, and for cattle ranching.”

Answer 1

This piece of evidence about deforestation provides several important insights that help us understand the seriousness of the issue. Let's break it down into simpler parts:

1. What is Deforestation? Deforestation refers to the process of cutting down and clearing forests to make way for other uses, like farming, livestock grazing, or urban development. This has significant impacts on the environment and biodiversity.

2. Where is Deforestation Happening? According to this evidence, the biggest losses of forests are happening in humid tropical areas, especially in Africa and South America. These regions are known for their rich biodiversity, which means they have many different kinds of plants and animals.

3. How Much Forest Has Been Lost? The evidence states that around 420 million hectares of forest were lost between 1990 and 2020. This is a huge area—it's like losing a forest that covers the size of the entire country of Canada! Even though more trees are being planted (this is called afforestation) and some forests naturally grow back, we still end up losing a net of 178 million hectares of forest.

4. Ongoing Deforestation Even though the rate of deforestation has slowed down, it’s still happening at an alarming rate of about 10 million hectares every year from 2015 to 2020. This means that forests are still disappearing quickly, which can have negative impacts on our planet.

5. Why is Deforestation Happening? The biggest reason for deforestation is the global demand for agricultural products. Agribusinesses, which are companies that focus on farming and food production, are clearing large areas of forests to make space for crops like palm oil and soybeans. They also clear land for cattle ranching, where cows are raised for meat.

6. Consequences of Deforestation This loss of trees can lead to many problems, like climate change, loss of animal habitats, and dirtier air. Trees play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide, which helps clean the air and combat global warming. When forests are cut down, not only do we lose the trees, but we also lose the animals that depend on those forests for their homes.

In summary, this evidence highlights how deforestation is a major environmental issue, particularly in certain regions of the world, driven mainly by agricultural demand. Its consequences can have lasting negative effects on the planet, which is why it's important to find ways to protect our forests and promote sustainable land use practices.