How Rich Countries Harm Nature in Other Places

Who Did the Study?

• This study was done by Princeton University and was published in February 2025.

Main Points

• Rich countries cause 13.3% of animal and plant loss in other places.
• USA, Germany, Japan, and China are the biggest reasons for this.
• They buy a lot of things from other countries, making those countries cut down trees and use too much land.

Cutting Trees and Losing Animal Homes

• People cut down forests to grow things like vanilla.
• Madagascar is losing many animals because of this.
• 24 rich countries cause almost half of this problem.

Where the Damage Happens

• Rich countries mostly harm hot and green places (tropical regions).
• USA affects Central America’s animals and forests.
• China and Japan hurt Southeast Asian rainforests.

Trade and Endangered Animals

• 25% of very rare animals lose more than half of their home because of buying and selling things.
• When rich countries buy food and wood, animals lose their homes.
• This makes it harder for animals to survive.

Who Should Take Care of Nature?

• Rich countries use land from other places instead of their own.
• They cause more harm in other countries than in their own.
• We need better rules to protect forests, animals, and nature.

Mapping the Damage

• Scientists made maps to show which places are losing the most animals.
• Some rich countries hurt faraway places more than their own.

This study shows that we must protect nature and be careful about what we buy