Among the many nasty things that humans are doing to the environment, few rank worse than destroying tropical forests. Rainforests sustain an astonishing diversity of species, and they are vital for keeping our planet livable—they limit soil erosion, reduce floods, maintain natural hydrological cycles, and help to stabilize the climate. Yet around 13 million hectares of tropical forest are destroyed every year—the equivalent of 50 football fields a minute.
