Forests are a valuable resource for humankind and forest degradation is a universal concern all over the world. Through this report I am trying to present the situation in Europe with respect to persistent loss of this resource. 

The problem 

There are two important causes of forest degradation across Europe; Air pollution and fires. In the Central, Eastern and Northern areas of Europe air pollution is a major problem which threatens the sustainability of forest resources. In Southern Europe, forest fires are an issue. Most fires are caused due to tensions in the overall system of land management which usually come from socioeconomic factors. 

Results drawn from a 1992 survey, wherein 113 tree species were monitored in 34 European countries; showed that 24% of the trees were damaged and 10% were suffering from discoloration. Studies on forest fires indicate that an average of seven hundred thousand hectares of wooded land is burnt every year by a total of sixty thousand incidences of fires in Europe. It is now been estimated that approximately 54% of forests of the Czech Republic may have suffered irreversible damage- a larger than life testimony that stares at us highlighhting the gravity of the problem.

Why the problem exists 

Consumption in the European Union as a whole is a driving factor not only of deforestation and destruction of eco-systems within Europe itself but also in the rest of the world. Soy, palm oil, cocoa and meat are some many products of which Europe is a top importer, being responsible for approximately 36% of all global imports of crop and livestock products that are associated with deforestation. 

Consequences

Besides, land erosion, destruction of biological habitats, displacement of indigenous species and resulting loss of flora and fauna, deforestation, forest degradation and the conversion of ecosystems (such as Savannahs) also tend to be the key drivers of global warming and climate emergencies. Furthermore, besides severe environmental impacts they also contribute to social conflicts. 

What the European Union (EU) is doing to solve the problem 

The EU often addresses how its own consumption affects the environment. Both the European Council and Parliament support finding a way to erase the EU's role in deforestation and forest degradation. A number of action plans with laws, treaties etc. have also been made on the topic. 

EU legislation is not making light of the situation and working towards ensuring that no product linked to ecosystem destruction or deforestation is allowed to enter the EU market. It is also making efforts to raise awareness of the problem in the producer countries to address the problem at a global scale.

Sources and References 

http://www.wwf.eu/what_we_do/forests/deforestation_forest_degradation/