Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have uncovered surprising insights about deforestation linked to food production. Their study shows that staple crops like maize, rice, and cassava are significant drivers of deforestation, even more so than many export crops like cocoa or rubber.
Chandrakant Singh led the research, developing a model called DeDuCE to map deforestation effects from 2001 to 2022 across 179 countries and 184 commodities. More than 122 million hectares of forest were lost due to agriculture, with over 80% of this in tropical regions. This data highlights a shift in focus; while beef and palm oil often dominate discussions on deforestation, local staples have a broader global impact. These crops account for about 11% of agriculture-driven deforestation, compared to under 5% for cocoa and coffee combined.
Singh noted that while discussions about deforestation often center on rich countries’ imports, domestic agricultural production plays a significant role too. For real change, it’s crucial to address the agricultural practices in producing countries.
The study also provides new insights into carbon emissions from deforestation, estimating about 41 billion tonnes of CO2 were released between 2001 and 2022. This figure is much lower than earlier estimates, which often overstated emissions. Even so, deforestation from agriculture still contributes roughly 5% of global CO2 emissions.
Looking ahead, the researchers aim to expand their model to include non-food commodities, such as mining and energy, to get a clearer picture of the economic activities affecting forests.
According to the World Resources Institute, agricultural expansion is one of the top drivers of global deforestation. The need for sustainable agricultural practices has never been clearer. Addressing both local consumption and export demands is essential for effective solutions.
For a deeper dive into the study and its findings, you can access it here.
