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forests > newsfile
Oil and gas zones cover one-quarter of the Peruvian Amazon
The Peruvian Amazon, a region that still holds some of the most pristine biodiverse rainforests on Earth, is facing an unprecedented wave of new oil and gas exploration. ... more
Forest destruction fuels East Africa's drought
Destruction of East Africa's forests and climate change, are among the causes of the drought which is biting across parts of East Africa threatening misery for millions of people and their livestock, says Klaus Toepfer, head of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). ... more
Amazon drought could speed climate change
The worst drought in 40 years now impacting parts of the Amazon rainforest, has led scientists to warn that this vast region could ultimately turn from a carbon sink into a carbon emitter, speeding rather than slowing climate change, according to a report in Nature magazine. ... more
New report questions the link between felling and flooding
While forests provide natural flood defences against runnoff, the massive flooding in Central America following Hurricane Stan earlier in October cannot be blamed on extensive deforestation, says a new UN report. ... more
Ecuador stops Petrobras's oil road into biodiversity treasure
by Matt Finer
Under heavy pressure from conservation groups and the indigenous Huaorani, the Ecuadorian Environment Ministry has temporarily stopped the Brazilian national oil company Petrobras from building an access road into Yasuni National Park and Biosphere Reserve, located in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon. ... more
Japan EXPO ignores forest catastrophe
Finding a balance between nature, technology and culture is the theme of the world exhibition, EXPO 2005, which opened in Japan earlier this year. In reality it is about technology and the economy, with little regard to Japan's huge appetite for tropical timber which is driving the illegal logging catastrophe in many third world countries. ... more
Soya spurs rape of Amazon rainforest
With over 26,000 square kilometres lost last year � nearly the size of Belgium � the annual deforestation rate in the Amazon has again increased and is at its second highest ever, according to official figures released in Brazilia. ... more
Timber crisis follows tsunami
Aceh's already shattered landscape faces further devastation if donor countries do not immediately supply the tsunami-stricken province with sustainable timber. The warning was made in Jakarta, at the launch of a set of reconstruction guidelines to strengthen and safeguard Aceh's environment against future threats. ... more
Afghanistan launches tree planting drive
by Wahidullah Amani
Kabul is a drab, dun-coloured city, its formerly lush hills now lying bare under the harsh sun, the air thick with a fine, acrid dust. More than 20 years of conflict followed by a seven-year drought have decimated the city�s greenery and left its residents gasping for oxygen. But now that could change. ... more
Chinese imports 'threaten world's forests'
Because of its rapidly rising demand for wood, China is set to lead the world's wood market, with devastating impacts on some of the planet's outstanding forests unless major changes are made in the country's current policies, conservationists warn. ... more
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