Deforestation occurs when trees are cut down across a wide area.

This land is then used for something else.

They are used to make many products.

For example, paper, furniture, building houses and firewood.

Palm oil is used EVERYWHERE – in our foods, cosmetics, cleaning products and biofuels.

Palm oil comes from the fruit of oil palm trees.

Subsistence farming means farmers that have small plots of land that grow enough food for themselves.

Farmers cut down trees to make room for cattle.

Forests are filled with medicines that can help with many illnesses.

You can make these medicines from tree roots and plants.

Commercial farming is farming on a large scale, when crops are used to produce foods or land used to rear animals.

This type of farming is led by large companies and anything produced is sold for profit.

Many scientists believe that deforestation has an effect on the planet’s climate. Deforestation releases all the carbon dioxide they once stored.

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which traps heat from the Sun. This causes global temperatures to rise.

Trees are so important to the water cycle!

Less trees would mean more droughts.

Rainforests provide amazing habitats for millions of plants, animals and insects.

Deforestation would mean many species would become endangered.

Many indigenous people that live in the rainforest would lose their homes.

Should it be made illegal? Imagine you are: a logger, a member of a tribe, a factory owner or a child from the Rainforest.

Think about all these different points of view!

I need a job.

I cut down trees so I can feed my family.

I replant the trees I cut down.

My family has lived in the rainforest for a long time.

We need the rainforest for food, wood and housing. It’s my home.

People buy our food and want cheap produce.

The rainforest is a place where crops can be grown.

Wood for the rainforest was used to build my home.

Lots of things I use are made from trees like paper and pencils!

• Can you find out more about deforestation?

• How will you present your learning?

There are 17 things to do on the Global Goals list!

Earth Cubs look after all living things.

How can you help biodiversity where you live?