By Roisin Claridge | Head of Communications
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warns that time is running out to restore the world's forests. In Sumatra, where habitat loss threatens some of the world's most endangered species, that warning is a daily reality.
In its new report, State of the World’s Forests, the FAO warns that the window of opportunity to restore degraded forests is rapidly closing. Poorly designed restoration efforts risk increasing long-term costs, deepening inequalities, and locking forest landscapes into unsustainable paths.
A growing gap in forest recovery
The report states that over 489 million hectares (1.2 billion acres) of forest have been cleared since 1990, with an even larger area suffering degradation.
Although habitat restoration is happening, global progress has not kept pace with national and regional commitments. Over the last two decades, global initiatives promised to restore 1bn hectares of land. However, barely a fifth of that target is currently being restored.
Why rainforests matter
Forest ecosystems cover about a third of Earth’s land and store 714 gigatonnes of carbon. Yet every year around 127 million hectares are impacted by forest fires, pests, disease, extreme weather, and agricultural expansion.
In Sumatra, ancient peatlands and tropical forests store vast amounts of carbon. Protecting and rewilding these landscapes contributes directly to global climate mitigation. These forests also act as natural watersheds, absorbing heavy rainfall to prevent floods, landslides, and soil erosion for local communities.
What makes Sumatra’s rainforests so special?
Sumatra is a global biodiversity hotspot. It is the only place on Earth where orangutans, tigers, rhinos, and elephants coexist in the wild, alongside thousands of other rare and vulnerable species. By protecting orangutans and their rainforest home, we safeguard an entire ecosystem.
Millions of people in forest-edge communities also rely on Sumatra’s rainforests for clean water and fertile soil. Healthy forests support local livelihoods by regulating the climate and providing natural resources that communities can sustainably harvest.
Turning science into action
With the UN warning that time is running out, Sumatra’s rainforests need urgent, targeted restoration. We’re working with our frontline partners to turn restoration science into action.
By supporting forest-edge communities and rewilding forest corridors, our conservation partners are blending ecosystem restoration with local economic resilience – building a safer, stronger future for rainforests and people alike.
Be part of the solution
You can help protect, connect, and rewild precious rainforest habitat in Sumatra. Become part of our community and support frontline conservation now.
(Photos: PETAI)
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