Recent studies reveal that tropical deforestation has caused nearly 28,000 excess deaths each year between 2001 and 2020. The loss of forest cover has raised local temperatures by up to 0.7 degrees Celsius in some regions. This warming has exposed over 345 million people to dangerous heat, especially in south-east Asia, tropical Africa and the Americas. The findings show the severe human health impacts of deforestation beyond its environmental consequences.
Deforestation and Local Temperature Rise
Tropical deforestation removes tree cover that cools the land. This causes local surface temperatures to rise. On average, daytime temperatures increased by 0.27°C in deforested areas. Some regions, like south Asia, saw rises as high as 0.72°C. The greatest warming occurred in the Amazon’s Arc of Deforestation and parts of Indonesia. These hotspots correspond to areas with the highest forest loss due to logging and agricultural expansion.
Human Exposure to Heat Stress
More than 345 million people live in zones affected by deforestation-induced warming. Of these, 33 million experienced temperature rises over 1°C, and 2.6 million faced increases above 3°C. Heat exposure reduces cognitive function and labour productivity. Between 2003 and 2018, 2.8 million outdoor workers lost safe thermal working conditions. The highest exposure was recorded in south-east Asia, followed by tropical Africa and the Americas.
Mortality Impact of Forest Loss
The study estimates 28,330 non-accidental deaths annually linked to deforestation-driven warming. South-east Asia accounts for over half of these deaths due to dense populations and vulnerability, with Indonesia particularly affected. Tropical Africa reported nearly 10,000 excess deaths each year. These figures exclude deaths caused by broader climate change effects triggered by deforestation-related carbon emissions.
Environmental and Climate Implications
Deforestation also releases large amounts of carbon dioxide. Between 2014 and 2023, tropical forest loss emitted 1.7 gigatonnes of CO₂ annually. This equals about 15% of global human-caused emissions. The study’s mortality estimates are conservative as they do not include deaths from global warming caused by these emissions. Forest loss also disrupts biodiversity and hydrological cycles, further impacting ecosystems and communities.
Geographical Distribution of Impacts
Major deforestation hotspots include the Amazon basin, Indonesia’s Sumatra and Kalimantan, Central America, West Africa, and mainland south-east Asia. These tropical regions house over 3.5 billion people. Approximately 13% live in areas where forest cover was lost between 2001 and 2020. The warming effect was widespread, with 60% of areas experiencing extreme temperature rises overlapping deforested zones.
Socioeconomic Consequences
Rising temperatures from deforestation affect health, productivity and livelihoods. Heat stress reduces workers’ capacity and raises mortality risks. Vulnerable populations in tropical developing countries suffer the most. The loss of forest resources also threatens food security and income for local communities dependent on forest ecosystems.
Questions for UPSC:
- Discuss in the light of recent research how tropical deforestation impacts human health and mortality rates. Explain the mechanisms involved.
- Critically examine the role of tropical forests in regulating local and global climate. How does deforestation contribute to climate change?
- With suitable examples, discuss the socioeconomic effects of deforestation on indigenous and rural communities in tropical regions.
- Comment on the challenges and strategies for balancing agricultural expansion and forest conservation in tropical countries. Discuss the implications for sustainable development.
