January 18, 2026Jan 18, 2026
KCNA Pyongyang Times

Reduction of forest areas causes serious challenges

Date: 26/09/2021 | Source: Pyongyang Times | Read original version at source

Forests account for 30.8 percent of the whole land area of the earth, but they are decreasing ceaselessly day after day.

According to a report issued by the World Natural Protection Fund early this year, nearly 430 000km2 of forest areas have disappeared on major 24 “timbering fronts” in the world between 2004 and 2017.

A joint report issued on May last year by the FAO and the United Nations Environment Programme said that nearly 1.78 million square kilometres of forests centring around Africa and South America disappeared in recent 30 years.

At present, forests are recklessly being cut down in every part of the world.

According to the World Natural Protection Fund, out of 24 hot spots of deforestation in the world, there are nine in Latin America, eight in Africa and seven in Asia-Pacific. The forest falls of the regions amount to over half of the world total, it noted.

Worse still, forest fire continues to break out around the world due to the persistent high temperature caused by global warming to devastate a large area of forests.

Experts express their concern that if forest areas continue to decrease at this speed, they will completely be removed on the earth after 100 years.

The reduction of forest resources brings great negative effects on the earth.

First of all, the ecosystem of the earth is being damaged.

Deforestation has been rampant in the Amazon basin, with the result that many tree species were already on the verge of extinction some years ago.

Due to the destruction of their habitats, over 900 living species have disappeared on the earth.

Forests absorb and fix the level of carbon dioxide. That is why people call them the “lungs of the earth”.

“Carbon emission is being quickened and biodiversity and ecosystem are being destroyed as people fail to manage forests properly worldwide. This adversely affects not only the local community of the relevant region but also the livelihood and welfare of all other people around the world,” said the president of the World Natural Protection Fund.

Forest destruction hastens global warming, thereby causing various natural disasters including flood and drought. It is not accidental that a researcher of a country stressed the need to return lots of arable land into forests again in order to get rid of global warming.

It also has produced such complicated problems as the depletion of resources and the desertification of land.

The reality shows that the protection and planting of forests are a very important matter related to the existence of humankind.

More From Pyongyang Times

EU warns US against military invasion of Greenland

EU warns US against military invasion of Greenland

A high-ranking official of the European Union warned on January 12 that the US’ military invasion of Greenland would cause the

January 17, 2026

A high-ranking official of the European Union warned on January 12 that the US’ military invasion of Greenland would cause the

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un receives New Year greetings from abroad

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un receives New Year greetings from abroad

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received congratulatory messages and letters from different countries on the occasion of the New

January 17, 2026

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received congratulatory messages and letters from different countries on the occasion of the New

Young people pay floral tribute at statues of great leaders

Young people pay floral tribute at statues of great leaders

The participants in the celebrations of the 80th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League visited the statues

January 17, 2026

The participants in the celebrations of the 80th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League visited the statues

New houses built in North Hwanghae Province

New houses built in North Hwanghae Province

At a time when a new life of socialist cultural efflorescence blooms all over the DPRK every day, modern dwelling houses were

January 17, 2026

At a time when a new life of socialist cultural efflorescence blooms all over the DPRK every day, modern dwelling houses were

Performances strike a chord with people in 2025

Performances strike a chord with people in 2025

One of the abiding memories of 2025 of the Korean people is of the wonderful art performances which make them feel the great

January 17, 2026

One of the abiding memories of 2025 of the Korean people is of the wonderful art performances which make them feel the great

New houses built at farms in Kangwon Province

New houses built at farms in Kangwon Province

New socialist ideal farm villages have been built successively in Kangwon Province, giving pleasure to the people. Dwelling houses

January 16, 2026

New socialist ideal farm villages have been built successively in Kangwon Province, giving pleasure to the people. Dwelling houses

Iranian speaker rejects US’ military threat

Iranian speaker rejects US’ military threat

The speaker of the Iranian parliament decried and rejected the US’ military threat in his speech to the parliament on January 11.H

January 16, 2026

The speaker of the Iranian parliament decried and rejected the US’ military threat in his speech to the parliament on January 11.H

Young people grow more ebullient

Young people grow more ebullient

Young people across the DPRK were gripped by great emotion on the occasion of the New Year 2026. They were impressed by the fact

January 16, 2026

Young people across the DPRK were gripped by great emotion on the occasion of the New Year 2026. They were impressed by the fact

France and UN censure US

France and UN censure US

The French president criticized the US’ foreign policy on January 8. As regards the fact that the US decided to break from 66

January 15, 2026

The French president criticized the US’ foreign policy on January 8. As regards the fact that the US decided to break from 66

Japanese newspaper decries US’ recklessness

Japanese newspaper decries US’ recklessness

The Tokyo Shimbun on January 9 carried an article titled “US threat and blackmail out of common sense” denouncing the reckless mov

January 15, 2026

The Tokyo Shimbun on January 9 carried an article titled “US threat and blackmail out of common sense” denouncing the reckless mov

Art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan leaves Pyongyang

Art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan leaves Pyongyang

The art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan led by Ri Chol Su, principal of Toshun Korean Primary School, left Pyongyang on

January 15, 2026

The art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan led by Ri Chol Su, principal of Toshun Korean Primary School, left Pyongyang on

National sci-tech diffusion system in full operation

National sci-tech diffusion system in full operation

Science and technology are being diffused widely in the DPRK with the Sci-Tech Complex as the hub. Modern regional-industry

January 15, 2026

Science and technology are being diffused widely in the DPRK with the Sci-Tech Complex as the hub. Modern regional-industry

Natural functional cosmetic beautifies skin

Natural functional cosmetic beautifies skin

Haemoglobin cosmetic is now popular among many women. Developed by the Pyongyang Cosmetics Factory, this product is applicable to

January 15, 2026

Haemoglobin cosmetic is now popular among many women. Developed by the Pyongyang Cosmetics Factory, this product is applicable to

More Articles