Global deforestation rate slows

The UN has just released the "State of the World Forest's Report" stating that the rate of deforestation is starting to decrease. In the 1990s, forests were disappearing at a rate of 9 million hectares a year, and this has now slowed to 7.3 million. Countries such as China are forerunners in this reduction thanks to tree planting initiatives. It's a bit of good news, but nothing to become complacent about.

"Deforestation continues and it continues at an unacceptable rate, however there are signs of potential change," said Wulf Killmann, a forestry expert at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) which published the report.

The destruction of forests not only reduces habitat available for wildlife but also adds to the greenhouse effect because the carbon stored in trees is released into the atmosphere.