Deforestation contributes to climate change by releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) stored in trees into the atmosphere when forests are cut down or burned. This increases the concentration of greenhouse gases, exacerbating global warming. Additionally, forests play a critical role in regulating the Earth's climate by absorbing CO2, so their removal reduces the planet's ability to mitigate climate change. Deforestation also leads to biodiversity loss, as many species depend on forest ecosystems for habitat. When forests are destroyed, these species face the risk of extinction due to loss of habitat, food sources, and the fragmentation of ecosystems, disrupting biodiversity and the balance of ecosystems globally.