A recent University of Queensland study reveals there was a 626 per cent increase in the calculated impact on climate as a result of tropical forest clearing between 2000 and 2013.
UQ conservation scientist Dr Sean Maxwell says the analysis considers all impacts such as the effects of selective logging, forgone carbon sequestration, expanding effects on the edges of forests and species extinction.
James Watson, Wildlife Conservation Society Professor, says humanity needs to better fund the conservation of intact forests, especially now that research has shown a larger-than-realised role in stabilising the climate.
“Our study will hopefully mobilise more funding from the climate finance sector, improving and expanding efforts to retain intact forests across the tropics," Mr Watson said.