Deforestation involves the removal of forests through activities like converting forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use. It is a major problem, with forests covering over 30% of the Earth's land but providing livelihoods for over 1 billion people. The top three drivers of deforestation are shifting cultivation by poor farmers, commercial logging operations using heavy machinery, and mining, dams, and infrastructure development which damage forests and ecosystems. Deforestation significantly contributes to climate change by reducing the Earth's ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.