Forest Losses Increased Again in 2020

The world lost a Netherlands-sized area of mature tropical forests in 2020, the second year in a row of worsening losses, according to the latest figures from the research and advocacy organization the World Resources Institute (WRI). 

The losses are helping drive climate change and also being driven by it, as hot, dry conditions contribute to forest losses in several parts of the world.  Some bright spots emerged. The rate of forest loss decreased in Indonesia and Malaysia for the fourth consecutive year.   But overall, the 4.2 million hectare loss of primary, undisturbed forest was a 12% increase over 2019.