Deforestation in Indonesia: A forest was cleared to make a palm oil plantation (WWF)
Grade level: 5th
Skills: Multiplication (fraction)
Related environmental issues: Biodiversity & Deforestation
Area level: Global
Since human started clearing forests for logging, farming, ranching, and urban use, nearly half of the world’s original forests were destroyed. The rate of global forest loss equals to loss of 2,160 football fields of forests per hour.
- About 2/5 of global forest loss happens in South America. About how many football fields of forest are lost in South America every hour?
- About 9/20 of global forest loss happens in Africa. About how many football fields of forest are lost in Africa every hour?
Source: WWF & Mongabay.com
———————————————————————————–
Answer keys
- 864 (2,160 x 2/5 = 864)
- 972 (2,160 x 9/20 = 972)