Welcome to The Regenerators.
What is deforestation?
Deforestation might feel like something that’s happening far away, in tropical rainforests, but its impacts can affect us all.
Ruairi Brogan, who works for a wildlife charity, explains why forests are so important and the ways we can help to protect them.
Watch this video to find out more
Definition
Deforestation is the removal of forests, often to make space for farming, industry, settlements, roads anduse of wood as fuel.
Summary
- Forests are sometimes described as being ‘the lungs of the planet’ because they’re able to take in Greenhouse gasesThe gases responsible for global warming - carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons). like carbon dioxide and lock them away in their trunk, roots and soil. Unfortunately, when trees are cut down or burnt, that stored carbon dioxide is released back into the atmosphere.
- Deforestation also impacts the people, plants and animals who live in the forests and rely on them for food, wood, shelter and medicine.
- Costa Rica has successfully introduced a ‘no-deforestation policy’. In 20 years, over 7 million trees were planted. As individuals, we can make our own small changes, like making more sustainable choices about the items we buy, how they are made, and where they come from.
Teacher notes
A set of teacher notes are available. They include geography and science curricula links, and suggest how the clips might be used in a classroom.
Download or view the briefing notes online.
THE REGENERATORS
THE REGENERATORS
The teacher notes are designed to be used electronically but if printing is needed these greyscale versions will use less ink: and .
This page was published in July 2022.
There's more to learn
Green Themes Explained
GREEN CLASSROOM
Green Scenes - classroom activity
GREEN CLASSROOM
Guides for 11-14s
THE REGENERATORS
More from The Regenerators
鶹Լ BITESIZE