A new study has linked tropical deforestation to tens of thousands of heat-related deaths every year, warning that Africa is among the regions most at risk as forests continue to disappear at alarming rates.
Published this week in Nature Climate Change, the research finds that more than 300 million people across tropical regions are already exposed to higher local temperatures caused by deforestation. The study estimates around 28,000 excess deaths annually, with nearly half a million lives lost over the past two decades.
Africa, home to the world’s second-largest rainforest in the Congo Basin, features prominently in the findings. Around 42 million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo alone are living with higher heat stress linked to nearby forest loss. With agriculture, logging, and infrastructure driving large-scale clearance, researchers warn that millions more Africans could face worsening health impacts if deforestation continues unchecked.
“Forests act like the planet’s natural air conditioning,” explained lead author Professor Dominick Spracklen of the University of Leeds. “When we cut them down, we stop the cooling effect, and local climates heat up almost immediately. People living nearby feel the impact within days.”
The findings come as African countries struggle to balance development with conservation. According to the World Resources Institute, agriculture is the leading driver of forest loss globally, responsible for 95 percent of permanent deforestation. In Africa, smallholder farming and commercial plantations are accelerating forest clearance, threatening not only ecosystems but also human survival in the face of rising temperatures.
The study also highlights the global dimension of the problem. While African forests are being cleared to supply commodities such as timber, beef, and palm oil, weak enforcement of international trade regulations means deforestation-linked goods continue to flow into markets in Europe, Asia, and North America. Critics argue that this global demand shifts the health and environmental burden onto tropical populations who benefit least from the trade.
For Africa, the health implications are dire. Beyond heat-related deaths, deforestation worsens air quality; increases malaria risk, and places extra strain on fragile health systems. With the continent already warming faster than the global average, scientists say protecting forests could save lives as much as it safeguards biodiversity and climate.
“This is no longer just an environmental issue,” said Dr. Carly Reddington, co-author of the study. “Deforestation is becoming a public health crisis. Reducing it is critical to protecting communities in Africa and across the tropics.”
