The effects of global deforestation are driving governments and environmentalists to take action and innovate to protect rainforests and preserve their resources.
New laws are reducing importing supplies that contribute to deforestation
The European Parliament recently adopted a new ground-breaking law which seeks to halt the importation of food and beverage products that cause forest destruction. This covers the import of commodities such as soy, coffee, palm oil and beef, with soy being the largest with an EU import value of €14bn in 2021.
While this new legislation could increase costs and force buyers to trace commodities back to their origin (possibly creating a need for alternate suppliers), it is essential for slowing climate change.
Ai tracks future forest destruction
In Brazil, conservationists are using an AI platform called PrevisIA to predict the next sites of deforestation. Created by researchers and environmental nonprofit Imazon, PrevisIA generates short-term deforestation models that take into account current geostatistics and historical data, as well as variables that make deforestation more likely, including population density and the prevalence of roads (legal and illegal).
PrevisIA’s accuracy is impressive: 85% of its predicted alerts are within 4km of actual deforestation.
The beauty industry reduces its use of palm oil
In beauty, Palmless is championing a palm oil alternative in an effort to reduce rainforest destruction. Its oil formulation is derived from fermented microorganisms. Palmless is currently pursuing partnerships with beauty, home and food manufacturers to reduce palm oil use.
Startups transform desert environments
French–Moroccan startup Sand to Green created a regenerative agroforestry model that transforms desert environments into farmable land in efforts to reduce deforestation. Desalinated seawater is used to irrigate plantations and the food that is produced is then delivered to areas with high food insecurity.
What can you do?
Study your supply chains to isolate and remove ingredients that cause forest destruction.
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