Key points
- Tropical deforestation exposes 300 million to extreme heat
- Map reveals temperature increases up to 5°C
- Tool highlights forest protection’s role in climate regulation
ISLAMABAD: A new interactive map by University of Leeds researchers has revealed how tropical deforestation is driving sharp local temperature increases — in some areas by as much as 5°C — exposing over 300 million people to extreme heat.
The tool, launched ahead of COP30 in Brazil, underscores the vital role forests play in regulating local climates and urges governments to prioritise forest conservation to protect communities from worsening heat impacts.
The map, created by Dr. Carly Reddington and Professor Dominick Spracklen, highlights the crucial role forests play in regulating local climates and offers a tool for governments, conservation groups, and agricultural stakeholders to assess the impact of deforestation on health, food production, and productivity.
The study found that tropical deforestation contributes to rising temperatures, exposing over 300 million people to extreme heat and causing 28,000 heat-related deaths annually.
This local climate heating is primarily due to the loss of trees that naturally cool the environment through shade, moisture release, and carbon absorption. Without these mechanisms, surface heat accumulates more rapidly, moisture declines, and greenhouse gas concentrations rise.
Exploring temperature increases
The map allows users to explore temperature increases due to deforestation in specific regions, districts, or provinces. For example, deforestation in Brazil’s Rondônia state could raise local temperatures by 2.1°C, while Southeast Asia and Africa could experience increases of over 3°C, and in Tanzania’s Katavi Region, more than 5°C of warming could occur.
The tool is timely, as world leaders gather for COP30 in Brazil, offering tropical countries a better understanding of deforestation’s local climate impacts. Dr. Nike Doggart, who led the development of the map, hopes it will encourage policymakers to prioritise forest protection.
The interactive tool, available in English and Portuguese, is hosted by the Met Office on its CSSP Brazil VIEWpoint website. It supports the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, a Brazil-led initiative aimed at protecting millions from extreme heat.
