Skip to content

You are using an outdated browser

Internet Explorer is not supported by this site and Microsfot has stopped releasing updates, therefore you may encounter issues whilst visiting this site and we strongly recommend that you upgrade your browser for modern web functionality, a better user experience and improved security.

Upgrade my browser

Fab fact: Europe’s forests are flourishing!

4 min read

Inspiring People
Fab fact: Europe’s forests are flourishing!
Source: Unsplash/AaronBrunhofer

Around the world forests are shrinking, but in the last 25 years the area covered by forests and woodlands in Europe increased by 90,000 square kilometres — that’s an area about the size of Portugal!

Large areas of Europe are seeing a forest boom

Around the world, forests are shrinking due to deforestation, urban development and climate change, but in Europe that trend has been reversed – reports the World Economic Forum.

Large areas of the continent have seen a forest boom that means today more than two-fifths of Europe is tree-covered. Between 1990 and 2015, the area covered by forests and woodlands increased by 90,000 square kilometres – an area roughly the size of Portugal.

Over the last century, trees flourished as residents left the countryside for life in the city, and intensive agriculture meant less land was needed for farming.
Forests cover almost a third of France, due in part to increased protection and a decline in farming Over the last century, trees flourished as residents left the countryside for life in the city, and intensive agriculture meant less land was needed for farming. Source: Unsplash/SebastianUnrau
Although the re-wilding process has slowed, the area of land covered by trees continues to expand
France is fourth most forested country in Europe, after Sweden, Finland and Spain Although the re-wilding process has slowed, the area of land covered by trees continues to expand Source: Unsplash/LuisDelRíoCamacho
Sweden has strong protections against deforestation and trees cover around 70% of the surface area, similar to Finland, but not all of the forests are natural. Many of Europe’s forests are managed to produce wood to make paper, or timber for construction, or as fuel. As trees in those forests are felled, more are planted, and European plantations expand by an area the size of 1,500 soccer pitches every day.
European plantations expand by an area the size of 1,500 soccer pitches every day Sweden has strong protections against deforestation and trees cover around 70% of the surface area, similar to Finland, but not all of the forests are natural. Many of Europe’s forests are managed to produce wood to make paper, or timber for construction, or as fuel. As trees in those forests are felled, more are planted, and European plantations expand by an area the size of 1,500 soccer pitches every day. Source: Unsplash/AnnieSpratt
Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, storing carbon in their the trunks and branches, helping the fight against climate change. More trees should be positive news for the environment and to some extent this is true. But while newly planted forests go some way to safeguard the habitats of birds, insects and woodland mammals, they are no substitute for natural forests in protecting biodiversity.
New forests are no substitute for natural forests in protecting biodiversity Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, storing carbon in their the trunks and branches, helping the fight against climate change. More trees should be positive news for the environment and to some extent this is true. But while newly planted forests go some way to safeguard the habitats of birds, insects and woodland mammals, they are no substitute for natural forests in protecting biodiversity. Source: Unsplash/JuliaJoppien
Illegal logging and land clearance for agriculture are devastating parts of countries such as Brazil and Russia. Tree cover loss worldwide in 2018 As the chart shows, Russia lost more than five and a half million hectares of its forest cover in a single year.
Deforestation and forest degradation are becoming serious challenges in some parts of the world Illegal logging and land clearance for agriculture are devastating parts of countries such as Brazil and Russia. Tree cover loss worldwide in 2018 As the chart shows, Russia lost more than five and a half million hectares of its forest cover in a single year. Source: WEF/Statista

NASA REPORTS THE EARTH IS GETTING GREENER… THANKS TO CHINA AND INDIA

Over the last two decades, the Earth has seen an increase in foliage around the planet, measured in average leaf area per year on plants and trees. Data from NASA satellites shows that China and India are leading the increase in greening on land. The effect stems mainly from ambitious tree planting programs in China and intensive agriculture in both countries. Learn more. 

In the last 25 years, the area covered by forests and woodlands in Europe increased by 90,000 square kilometres.
Woodland wonderland In the last 25 years, the area covered by forests and woodlands in Europe increased by 90,000 square kilometres. Source: Unsplash/MarkPell

A step in the right direction

According to the World Wildlife Fund, we’re losing 18.7 million acres of forests each year — or 27 soccer fields every minute.

As forests disappear, the habitats of many species vanish with them. Around 80% of land-based species, including elephants and rhinos, are forest dwellers and face a growing threat from human activity.

In 2012, the World Economic Forum brought together more than 150 partners working in Latin America, West Africa, Central Africa and South-East Asia – to establish the Tropical Forest Alliance 2020: a global public-private partnership to tackle deforestation linked to the production of four commodities: palm oil, beef, soy, and pulp and paper.

The health of the planet is best served by protecting our forests from being cut down, and more needs to be done. But, alongside attempts to curb deforestation, initiatives that encourage the expansion of tree canopy represent a step in the right direction.

Source: WEF

Make an Impact

10 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO SAVE THE RAINFOREST

PICK ONE EASY STEP TO SAVE THE RAINFOREST: Sure, governments can create laws to stop deforestation, but what can you do save the rainforest?  It turns out quite a bit. Choose just one thing on this list and start making a difference.  Over time add more actions and make an ever bigger difference.