The State of the World’s Forests 2024 Report

July 25, 2024

On July 22, 2024, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations released a report, “The State of the World’s Forests,” addressing global forest conditions. The findings present a mixed picture: while the rate of deforestation has slowed, significant threats from climate change persist.

Global Forest Coverage

The amount of forests around the world is about 4.1 billion hectares, which is 31% of that land. Top Five Countries: USA, Canada, Russia, and China (54% of the world’s forest area). Australia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Indonesia, Peru, and India (two-thirds of the world’s land) also contributed.

Deforestation Trends

From 1990 to 2020, around 420 million hectares of forest were converted for land use. However, deforestation rates showed improvement:

1990-2002: 15.8 million hectares/year
2015-2020: 10.2 million hectares/year

Africa had the highest deforestation rates, followed by South America and Asia.

Forest Recovery and Gains

Ten countries, including China and India, said that their forest areas were growing every year by 2020. New data shows that political and environmental measures in Indonesia and Brazil have led to big drops in deforestation.

Mangrove Ecosystems

There are 14.8 million hectares of mangroves in the world. Even though there was net loss from 2000 to 2020, natural growth is greater than natural loss, showing that the area is resilient to the effects of climate change. Extreme weather is always a danger.

About FAO

Global Reach and Headquarters: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), established in 1945, operates in over 130 countries and has its headquarters in Rome, Italy. This location symbolizes its central role in global food governance.

Core Initiatives and Reporting: FAO leads initiatives focused on sustainable agricultural practices and climate resilience. It also publishes the State of Food Security and Nutrition report annually, providing vital data and insights on global food security.

Motto and Community Engagement: FAO’s motto, “Fiat Panis” (Let There Be Bread), underscores its mission to combat hunger and improve nutrition. The organization collaborates with local communities to improve food safety and security.

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