UN warns shrinking window for global forest restoration amid accelerating loss

According to a new United Nations assessment, the window to restore the planet's forests is becoming increasingly narrow as deforestation and degradation persist. Since the early 1990s, hundreds of millions of hectares of forest have been cleared, and an even larger area suffers degradation. Although recent years have seen progress in protecting and planting trees, the pace does not match the commitments made by nations and international bodies.

Forests cover roughly a third of Earth's land, store vast amounts of carbon, and support up to 80% of terrestrial biodiversity, while also influencing precipitation patterns and feeding nearly a third of humanity. Annual threats include large-scale fires, insect infestations, disease, and extreme weather, compounded by agricultural expansion, climate change, pollution, and resource extraction. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization stresses that corrective actions would benefit food security and economies, estimating substantial economic gains from large-scale restoration. The report urges governments to elevate forest restoration to a top national priority.