8 ways to take action against deforestation

The Amazon, the most famous forest on the planet, has become the symbol of the deforestation happening all over the world. The future of this green lung and treasure trove of biodiversity is in danger, but so are forests everywhere. More severe natural disasters, disrupted water supplies, accelerating global warming: the consequences of deforestation are many.

Forests are vital to our survival and to the survival of our planet, and we must protect them at all costs. Tackling deforestation is a global challenge. So how can we protect our forests and reach the goal of zero deforestation?

Here are 8 simple, practical ways to fight deforestation in your everyday life. Become a real force for change!

1. Buy palm oil-free products

Palm oil is a real scourge for tropical forests and is responsible for massive deforestation. Malaysia and Indonesia, the main producers of this much-criticised oil, together account for nearly 85% of global production. Over the past two centuries, 90% of their forests have been destroyed.

Palm oil turns up in many everyday products, such as chocolate spread, chocolates, cakes and crisps... You may not know it, but it is also found in cosmetics such as creams, body oils and more! It can be hard to spot in the list of ingredients, so you need to know how to read labels. Palm oil often hides behind complicated names such as "Elaeis Guineensis Oi".

That's right: our daily beauty routines also contribute to deforestation. So choose food and cosmetic products without palm oil whenever you can. Let's shop responsibly.

2. Eat less meat to fight deforestation

Did you know that livestock farming and deforestation are closely linked? Whole hectares of forest are cleared to make way for livestock farms and mass soya production. Soya is mostly grown in South America, with Brazil the world's leading producer, and then travels several thousand kilometres to reach France, which greatly increases its harmful impact on the climate. Not ready to give up meat altogether? You can eat less, but better. To help fight deforestation, eat more plant proteins such as lentils and beans...

By putting more plants on your plate, you reduce your carbon footprint while keeping a healthy diet. Wherever possible, buy your meat from local producers too, so you can be sure where it comes from and how good it is (GMO-free feed, local farming, AB organic label, Label Rouge...).

3. Use less paper

Despite the rise of digital, paper is still very much part of our daily lives. In France, we use more than 11 million tonnes of paper every year. It takes around a dozen trees to make one tonne of paper, which means millions of trees are felled to meet our insatiable demand. Just imagine the scale of this consumption worldwide…

To help fight deforestation, choose electronic versions of your documents whenever you can. You'll save paper and reduce the demand for fibre from trees.

Can't do without paper? Use the back of sheets as scrap paper, for your children's drawings or for your shopping list. Made a printing mistake? Don't throw the sheet away: reuse it by printing on the back. When you do need to print, remember to use recycled paper or paper certified as coming from sustainable sources. And once you've used it, make sure you recycle it properly to give it a second life.

By adopting these habits, you help preserve forests by reducing the demand for wood from them.

4. Plant trees without leaving home

Reforestation isn't just for governments: it happens on a smaller scale too. With our SAPOUSSE programme, you can plant trees online, and we plant them straight away on the ground. It's a caring, lasting act of solidarity. We don't just plant trees, we plant seeds of hope.

By becoming a force for change with Sapousse, you support reforestation while giving local communities a way to earn a living.

5. Support responsible farming to fight deforestation

Choose farm produce grown using sustainable methods, such as agroforestry, which combines growing food crops with planting trees. Look for labels or certifications that guarantee products have been grown using these sustainable methods.

By making this choice, you help preserve biodiversity, protect the soil and tackle climate change, while supporting farmers committed to environmentally friendly practices.

6. Choose certified wood

When it comes to deforestation, every choice counts. To act responsibly, find out about the wood you're buying and where it comes from before you buy. Make a difference by choosing sustainable, certified sources such as the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) labels. They let you buy wood from "sustainable" forest management that doesn't contribute to deforestation. That way, you can be sure the wood has been harvested responsibly and with respect for the environment.

Choose wood that hasn't travelled long distances: it's better for the climate and ensures more ethical logging conditions.

7. Shrink your carbon footprint to fight deforestation

To limit global warming and deforestation, you can cut your own greenhouse gas emissions by reducing your carbon footprint. Did you know that our cars are responsible for a large share of greenhouse gas emissions? Emissions from road transport account for a significant share: 60.6% of total CO2 emissions in Europe.

Get on your bike for a greener future! Choose more environmentally friendly ways to get around, such as cycling. Make active travel your ally for both your health and the planet. Public transport is also an excellent way to shrink your carbon footprint and fight deforestation. And why not share your journeys by car-sharing? When we pull together, every kilometre saved is a victory for our forests.

And that's not all... You can also cut your use of fossil fuels and switch to a low-carbon electricity supplier (solar, wind).

8. Join awareness campaigns to fight deforestation

Become a champion of nature by joining awareness campaigns that inform others about the dangers of deforestation and the possible solutions. Every voice counts! Share information on your social media and encourage others to act. Be a messenger of hope. Together, let's be the guardians of our precious natural world!

So, ready to take action and make a difference? 💪