sweet loss

Georgia is a country of forests: nearly 44% of its territory is covered by trees, and 95–98% of these are naturally occurring. Yet these forests face serious threats. Degradation reduces both the quality and volume of trees, limiting their ability to absorb greenhouse gases and support biodiversity.

On our poster, Churchkhela — the traditional nut-filled treat — visually represents cut-down wood, echoing the country’s drastic deforestation trends. Each hanging piece of the sweet mirrors trees removed from the land, turning a familiar cultural symbol into a metaphor for environmental loss.

The numbers are stark: over the last decade, forested area in Georgia decreased by 52% (423,060 m³), and between 2015–2017, there were 17,652 cases of illegal tree cutting, causing an estimated 8 million GEL in environmental damage. The fight against deforestation requires both reforestation efforts and regulation of illegal activities, underscoring the urgent need for collective action.

Paired with infographics showing forest loss trends, this poster transforms abstract data into something tangible, culturally familiar, and emotionally resonant. TUTA uses this creative lens to remind us that environmental challenges are woven into our landscapes, livelihoods, and cultural heritage — and that their preservation depends on all of us.