Global Forest Watch (WRI)
Free satellite forest data and deforestation alerts from WRI; where Indigenous forest monitors used it, deforestation fell 52% in one year (Global Forest Watch).
Image: NASA.
Last reviewed: 1 source cited
Explain Like I'm 10
- Global Forest Watch is a free map of the world's forests made from satellite pictures.
- When trees are cut down, the map sends an alert.
- People who live in forests use the alerts to stop illegal cutting fast.
The Five W's of Global Forest Watch (WRI)
Who
The World Resources Institute (WRI), which runs Global Forest Watch, now renamed Global Nature Watch.
Source: Global Forest Watch (now Global Nature Watch), Our History
What
A free online map with forest data, weekly deforestation alerts and a field app called Forest Watcher.
Source: Global Forest Watch (now Global Nature Watch), Our History
When
Started in 1997; the global online platform launched in 2014, and weekly alerts began in 2016.
Source: Global Forest Watch (now Global Nature Watch), Our History
Where
Forests worldwide, used by governments, companies, journalists and local communities.
Source: Global Forest Watch (now Global Nature Watch), Our History
Why
It is hard to manage what you can't measure; open data helps people stop illegal logging and fires.
Source: Global Forest Watch (now Global Nature Watch), Our History
Impact Statement
Nonprofit solution · active
An impact study found that where Indigenous forest monitors were equipped with Global Forest Watch satellite data, deforestation dropped 52% in one year.
Source: Global Forest Watch (now Global Nature Watch), Our History
For Further Information: Global Forest Watch (now Global Nature Watch), Our History
Where Indigenous monitors used Global Forest Watch data, deforestation fell 52% in a year.
How This Saves People & the Planet
For People
Indigenous and local communities use the alerts to defend their land, and some use its forest carbon data to reach climate finance.
Source: Global Forest Watch (now Global Nature Watch), Our History
For Nature
Near-real-time alerts let rangers and communities respond to new clearing before a forest is lost.
Source: Global Forest Watch (now Global Nature Watch), Our History
Support Global Forest Watch (WRI)
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For Further InformationRelated Solutions
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For Teachers
Discussion questions
- What is Global Forest Watch (WRI), and what problem does it help solve?
- Who is behind Global Forest Watch (WRI), and where does the work happen?
- How does Global Forest Watch (WRI) help both people and nature? Use one fact from this page.
Sources are listed with each fact in the Five W's above.
Cite This Page
APA
Saving Planets. (n.d.). Global Forest Watch (WRI). https://www.savingplanets.com/Global_Forest_Watch.html
MLA
"Global Forest Watch (WRI)." Saving Planets, https://www.savingplanets.com/Global_Forest_Watch.html.