Deforestation Linked to Half a Million Deaths in 20 Years

Deforestation is increasing temperatures in tropical regions, leading to a rise in deaths from heat-related illnesses. A new study in the journal Nature Climate Change estimates that deforestation causes 28,330 deaths annually in tropical areas.

Researchers compared mortality rates in areas affected by tropical deforestation and found that approximately 345 million people in tropical regions suffered from local warming caused by deforestation between 2001 and 2020. For 2.6 million of them, the added warming increased temperatures they were exposed to by 3 degrees Celsius.

Professor Dominic Spracklen, of the University of Leeds, emphasized that "deforestation kills," highlighting the local risks often overlooked in the global climate debate.

The study points out that preserving forests could save lives and boost agricultural production, as forests regulate temperature, bring rainfall, and support agriculture.