The Congo rainforest is the second largest rainforest after the Amazon rainforest. Climate change is an issue for the Democratic Republic of Congo, with tropical deforestation being a serious environmental risk. Since the DRC has half of Africa’s tropical forest, it is important that the country values its rainforests. Carbon is stored in the branches, stems, leaves and roots of trees. When the forests are cleared, a large amount of CO2 is emitted into the atmosphere. Deforestation has caused some concerns, as so much carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere during the burning of forests. About 1,200 square miles of the forest of Congo is lost every year as a result of deforestation (The Democratic Republic of the Congo, p. 1).
The Democratic