A deforested area in Mato Grosso State in Brazil in August 2020. Destruction of the world’s forests increased last year even as pandemic shutdowns curbed economic growth, adding more pressure on nations and business trying to cut carbon emissions. Tree loss in the most critical tropical areas increased 12% in 2020 from the prior year, according to data released Wednesday by Global Forest Watch , an initiative led by the World Resources Institute. Tropical losses overall contributed 2.6 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide pollution, or the equivalent of annual emissions from 570 million cars. The 2020 numbers , the third worst for tree loss since 2002, seal off a year that once carried great hopes for efforts to stop the destruction. The United Nations Secretary General brought diplomats, business leaders and activists together in 2014 for a climate summit, where many would agree to an audacious goal to […]