Deforestation plays a huge role in global climate change. Forests are the largest storehouse of carbon after the oceans. Forests in Congo and the Amazon represent some of the world's largest carbon stores on land.
When forest biomes are destroyed by deforestation through logging, ranching, and farming, carbon absorption ceases.
Climate changes because of the build-up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Increasing the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, accelerate the rate of climate change.
Not only is deforestation responsible for climate change, it also makes flooding more likely. Plant, trees and other vegetation hold down the soil and contributes to its protection from heavy rains. Once deforestation takes place, land suffers soil erosion.
And… when the soil has been eroded, rainwater flashes to the lowest point in the topography, where it accumulates and causes flooding.
Learn four easy tips to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help make the air cleaner at EPA.gov.
There are many ways you can take action now to protect our forests. See how you and your family can help at Nature.org.