Did you know?

My Phoenix Nest group is focusing on SDG 15: Life on Land, specifically Target 15.2, which aims to stop deforestation and restore degraded forests. The related SDG indicator is 15.2.1, and it looks at how much forest a country is protecting or losing. Deforestation in Vietnam is a serious problem because cutting trees increases carbon dioxide, which causes climate change and flooding. According to the Global Forest Watch(GFW), between 2001 and 2024, Vietnam's forest cover decreased by 22%, with an annual loss of 1% (approximately 130,000 hectares) due to agricultural expansion and illegal logging in rural communities.

This problem is complex because many people rely on forests for their income. This is an economic barrier, since people need jobs in farming, logging, and clearing land. For many families, these activities are their main source of money, so stopping them can be hard. A specific institution that is trying to reduce the problem is the Vietnamese government. They are closing natural forests, increasing the protection of forests, and enforcing better environmental laws. This has helped, but illegal logging and land clearing still continue. 

Deforestation has a big impact on Vietnam’s future, which is why my group’s mission is to help protect and restore forests through spreading awareness and taking action.