Every Third Tree Species on the Planet is on the Brink of Extinction!

The true scale of wildlife destruction by humans is something few can comprehend, and the scientific works of researchers go unread! Why clutter our minds with things we don't like, right? The realization that not everything is as good as it sometimes appears. Just yesterday, I published an article about new research by psychologists showing that people deliberately refuse to see the truth if it doesn't align with their personal worldview. Meaning, if nature is being destroyed, people refuse to believe it, and they often can't be persuaded even with confirmed facts.

Today, I want to talk about trees. The silent giants that shape terrestrial ecosystems and support the life of the Biosphere! And thus, each of us.

On October 28, 2024, the first Global Assessment (report) of the state of trees worldwide was published, which is included in the updated version of the IUCN Red List.

The conclusions of scientists are shocking: every third tree species in the world is on the brink of extinction.

Scientists have calculated that there are 166,061 tree species in the world, of which 46,337 species are on the verge of extinction in the coming years. That's every third tree species!

Instead of thousands of words, I want to publish for you a comment by the Director General of IUCN, Dr. Gretel Aguilar.

“Today we publish the global assessment of the state of trees worldwide included in the IUCN Red List, which shows that more than one in three tree species is threatened with extinction. Trees are essential for sustaining life on Earth due to their vital role in ecosystems, and millions of people depend on them for life and livelihood.”

Another comment from Dr. Malin Rivers, project lead of the 'Global Tree Assessment'.

“This comprehensive assessment represents the first global picture of the state of trees, allowing us to make more informed decisions on the conservation of trees and take action to protect them where it is needed most. <…> This work is conducted at a global level with the participation of more than 1000 tree experts. We need to continue working together to expand the scale of local, national, and international actions to conserve trees to support people and the planet.”

I quoted real world-renowned experts! Over a thousand scientists from all corners of the planet worked on the scientific report on the state of trees. Yet, for some reason, their work remains unnecessary to anyone.

Politics is more important, isn't it? Squabbling, social disputes, bickering… all this is certainly more needed than nature protection? Our only habitat.

According to scientists, the extinction of trees is observed in 192 countries of the world. Moreover, the number of tree species on the brink of extinction is more than twice the number of bird, mammal, reptile, and amphibian species in the world that are also on the brink of extinction.

I don't know if it's necessary to talk about the reasons for tree extinction! More precisely, is it worth repeating? Because the reasons are the same: global capitalism aimed at extracting immediate profit at any cost! And no one is really responsible, all state systems are built in such a way that environmental agencies are not run by professional specialists but by lawyers and economists—calculating profit and the existence of economies through the destruction of living nature.

Primarily, the destruction of trees is done by human hands. They are cut down for construction, industrial livestock farming (for pastures), and agriculture. This disrupts the forest body's immune system, and ecosystems cannot adapt to natural disasters. Moreover, the natural rhythms of Earth's Biosphere are disrupted, for instance, the flow of air masses drawn by ancient forests, leading to even more destructive consequences.

We see droughts, floods, extinction of living species! We see a chain reaction of anomalies leading people to further destroy nature.

The disappearance of trees poses a serious threat to all plants, fungi, and animals. Each tree species supports numerous interrelated species; the extinction of a tree leads to the extinction of the entire dependent chain.

Unfortunately, such assessments are simply not made.

A living example. Russia, present day! Officials in favor of big business are trying to pass a bill legalizing clear cuts of protective forests in mountain wildlife refuges. They say it is urgently necessary to 'absorb' 300 billion rubles. They say over 260 resort facilities will be built in fragile mountain ecosystems.

Sorry, maybe I'm missing something... which of us ordinary citizens is lacking ski resorts in the country? So much so that we urgently need to conduct clear cuts of protective forests for this?

I want to provide a few more quotes.

Jean-Christophe Vie, Director General of the Franklin Fund, which funded much of the Global Tree Assessment, says.

“There are no excuses for inaction. With so many tree species under threat, the task is enormous, but it has already begun. Many NGOs, botanical gardens, universities, and other institutions are doing great work, and only those supported by our fund are protecting over 1000 threatened species. In some countries, such as Ghana, Colombia, Chile, and Kenya, national strategies are already in place. In others, such as Gabon, important areas for tree cultivation have been identified. Trees are seen as a simple solution to the problem of climate change, and they are planted everywhere; but reforestation methods need significant improvement, including species diversity and incorporating threatened species into tree planting programs. Governments and their forest departments, companies, and all who plant trees could easily do this and quickly achieve positive results, combating both climate change and the biodiversity crisis.”

Dr. Eimear Nic Lughadha, Senior Scientist in the Assessment and Analysis of Conservation Department at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, says.

“The importance of the Global Tree Assessment cannot be overstated, given the significance of trees to ecosystems and people. We hope that this frightening statistic, whereby every third tree is at risk of extinction, will serve as a catalyst for urgent measures and be used to draft conservation plans.”

Cleo Cunningham, Head of Climate and Forests at Birdlife International, says.

“This important analysis of endangered tree species underscores the importance of protecting and restoring diverse, healthy forest ecosystems. More than two-thirds of bird species threatened with extinction worldwide depend on forests. This report needs to be taken seriously: it is important for local communities and indigenous peoples who depend on forests, for wildlife that depends on trees, and for increasing the resilience of forests to climate change.”

Such are the comments of leading global experts in the field of nature conservation. The global report on the state of trees in the world and the tragic data showing that every third species is on the brink of extinction.

Meanwhile, we see instead of protecting wildlife, there is even more intervention in the last ecosystems! And they tell us: “We are like surgeons, just cut a little piece, harm no one! Don't worry.”

What else is needed to know, what scientific and objective data, to stop?

In just 50 years, humans have exterminated 73% of all living species, half of all plants on the planet are on the verge of extinction, and now to this list is added the extinction of trees: every third species is on the brink. Along with each of these species—all interconnected species of fungi, plants, and animals!

The Earth's Biosphere is on the brink!

If we don't wake up, we'll follow into extinction alongside the still LIVING nature.

© PAVEL PASHKOV