Infographic: What's Driving Deforestation?

Published Apr 12, 2016

Just four commodities—beef, soybeans, palm oil and wood products—are responsible for the majority of tropical deforestation.

Tropical deforestation is responsible for 10 percent of global warming emissions as well as the destruction of critical habitat for many endangered species. And UCS analysis shows that just four commodities—beef, soybeans, palm oil and wood products—are responsible for the majority of tropical deforestation.

In the countries that produce the majority of these four commodities, they are causing deforestation at a rate of about 15,000 square miles per year—enough to clear the state of Montana over a decade. 

But these commodities can be produced without destroying or degrading forests. 

Rights and permissions

You are free to use and post this infographic without alterations online, in written materials, and in presentations. Any online use must include proper citation and a link to this web page.

Related resources