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- Global forest area changes
Global forest area changes
Our World in Data's slope chart drew 29K views on X: 0.5x its typical post and #76 of 139 Our World in Data charts we track by views. Read Oct 10, 2026.
In the past, forests around the world were cut down on a massive scale around the world, but this is no longer the case.
Why it spread
This post spread because it paired a counterintuitive claim about global forests with a slope chart that explains itself, reaching 29,012 views, 172 likes, 43 reposts, 5 quotes and 37 saves, with a quote rate above average and a source reach in the top quarter.
What worked
- The slope chart is an unusual chart type for this topic, which made the post stand out in the feed.
- The chart is highly self labelling, so readers could understand the regional forest area changes since 1990 without extra explanation.
- The post text states the surprising shift plainly, that deforestation continues in large parts of South America and Africa while forested area has expanded in Europe, North and Central America and large parts of Asia, which gives the chart a clear takeaway.
What to borrow
We could use a slope chart with strong self labelling for our own regional comparisons over time, and frame the post around one surprising change that the chart makes obvious at a glance.
Careful
Do not over read this as proof that the unusual form alone caused the spread, since the account is branded, the source reach is in the top quarter, and the post also benefits from a clear written claim.
Written by our analysis model from the measured numbers above, not by Our World in Data.
Make it yours
Your numbers, in this grouped bar chart.
Starts from the real numbers of "Changes in forest area by world region since 1990" by Our World in Data. Replace every number with yours before you post. Make one like this, step by step
Free pictures carry a small "Made with ViralChart" line. That line is how other people find us.
API · Max
Use this chart via API
On the Max plan you can pull this chart's numbers with the provenance of each one, as JSON or CSV, with its redraw spec, or call it from an agent over MCP. Chart id 05646afa4709.
| Path | Returns | Plan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GET | /api/v1/charts/05646afa4709 | Title, publisher, date, form, point count; with a Max key, the data link | Open |
| GET | /api/v1/charts/05646afa4709/data | Every point with its provenance and confidence, plus the redraw spec. Add ?format=csv for CSV | Max |
| GET | /api/v1/charts/05646afa4709/render?view=1 | The draw-only view this page uses | Open |
| POST | /mcp | Tool get_chart_data with this id, for Claude, Cursor and other agents | Max |
curl -s https://viral-chart.com/api/v1/charts/05646afa4709/data \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $VIRALCHART_KEY"claude mcp add --transport http viralchart https://viral-chart.com/mcp \
--header "Authorization: Bearer $VIRALCHART_KEY"60 requests a minute per key; over that you get 429 with Retry-After. Up to 5 keys per account, made on your account page and shown once. Without Max, the data route answers 402 with a link to the plans. The numbers describe a chart its publisher owns, and every file carries a license note.
More from Our World in Data
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All 21
Questions people ask
How far did Our World in Data's "Global forest area changes" chart travel?
29,012 views, 172 likes, 43 reposts and 37 saves on X, read Oct 10, 2026. A normal post from @MaxCRoser gets about 59K views.
What kind of chart is it?
A slope chart. Forest area changes by world region since 1990.
Can I use Our World in Data's chart?
Use the format, not the picture. The chart, logo and design belong to Our World in Data. ViralChart redraws the chart type with your numbers and words, and credits the original publisher.