The strong growth of tourism in the Philippines is associated with the expansion of hotel construction and the demand for timber. Photo: André Héroux Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)Photo: André Héroux Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

Booming tourism is fueling deforestation in the Philippines

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The trend is associated with the expansion of construction of hotels and demand for timber. The repression toll is tragic as 29 environmental activists have been killed in 2020
The logging industry allegedly inspired the attempt to weaken anti-deforestation proposed rules in Europe. Photo: Hannes Knapp © European Wilderness Society CC BY-NC-ND 4.0Photo: Hannes Knapp © European Wilderness Society CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Europe takes one more step back on anti-deforestation rules

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The EU chooses a weak definition of "degradation" in areas affected by deforestation. Scientists are worried, The Guardian says. This choice is a result of lobbying campaign by logging industry, Greenpeace remarks
A cocoa plant in Côte d'Ivoire. In this country, which is the world leading producer, the exploitation of this plant is driving illegal deforestation Image: jbdodane Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0)jbdodane Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0)

Cocoa harvest and organized crime fuel Côte d’Ivoire’s deforestation

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In Côte d'Ivoire, says the Institute for Security Studies, land exploitation by cocoa sector crosses over with illegal timber market. As a result, forest destruction increases along with climate change and biodiversity loss
During the period under investigation, soil sealing covered almost 1,500 km2. Photo: Pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution requiredPxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required

Europe has lost 3,600 km2 of soil due to land take in seven years

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Between 2012 and 2018, soil loss mainly affected suburbs and semi-rural areas that play a key role in ecological balance with severe consequences for the climate, the European Environment Agency says
Peat clods cut to be used for horticulture and gardening. An activity that endangers the survival of the precious peat bogs. PHOTO: bernswaelz from a href = "https://pixabay.com/it/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=1263431"> Pixabay

The UK proposal: “No more peat for gardening”

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Peatlands are essential carbon sinks. But conservation efforts are threatened by the use of peat for gardening and horticulture. In 2020, 2.3 million cubic meters were used in the United Kingdom. The Wildlife Trusts propose to definitively ban this practice
La siccità è favorita dal cambiamento climatico e contribuisce essa stessa ad alimentare ulteriormente il fenomeno. Foto: Pixabay License Libera per usi commerciali Attribuzione non richiesta

Drought, invertebrates, and carbon: the vicious cycle affecting soil and climate

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Drought limits the action of invertebrates and their ability to store organic carbon in soil, according to research from Switzerland. A finding with obvious implications for climate change
Quasi il 98% delle segnalazioni relative a pratiche di deforestazione illegale nell’Amazzonia brasiliana non è stato oggetto di indagine. Foto: Kate Evans/CIFOR Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Deforestation unpunished in Brazil as the government ignores almost every alert

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Between 2019 and 2020, about 98 percent of reports of deforestation did not lead to formal action in Brazil, a research has found. The country's environmental policy is under fire. As Amazon destruction has reached the highest rate in 15 years
By 2070, the Planet's soils are at risk of losing 40 percent of their biological crusts. Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)USFWS Mountain-Prairie Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

The world may lose biological crusts due to climate change

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Biological crusts are crucial to the survival of the soil and its ecosystem. But climate change now threatens to wipe them out, a study from Geological Survey has warned
During the 21st century, Nigeria has lost more than one million hectares of forest. Photo: Terry Sunderland/CIFOR Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Terry Sunderland/CIFOR Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Fires and poverty fuel deforestation in Nigeria

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From 2002 to 2021, the protected area in southwest Nigeria lost 45 percent of its primary forest. The burden of fires is crucial. Socioeconomic and demographic factors are driving the trend
Fish smoking and the resulting demand for firewood are a major driver of deforestation. Photo: T.K. Naliaka Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)T.K. Naliaka Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Smoked fish is driving deforestation up in Congo-Brazzaville

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In the Republic of Congo, growing demand for firewood is fueling deforestation. After mangroves, alarm now extends to inland forests

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