Half a Million Lives Lost to Tropical Deforestation, Study Shows

A new study shows that deforestation in the Amazon, Congo, and Southeast Asia has killed more than half a million people over the past 20 years. Land clearance increases local temperatures, reduces rainfall, and raises fire risks, directly contributing to heat-related deaths. Southeast Asia has suffered the most fatalities due to high populations in vulnerable areas, followed by tropical Africa and Latin America. Researchers stress that preserving forests not only protects the global climate but also saves lives, regulates local temperatures, and supports agriculture.