Regions surrounding the Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP) and other areas of South Kivu Province in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been losing their natural forests for decades. •There is a positive correlation between deforestation and CO 2 emissions. Our research shows that deforestation increases temperature and negatively impacts rainfall, although not significantly. •Deforestation and its effects on the local climate are very likely to disrupt local agricultural practices and severely impact the unique biological diversity of the region. •Understanding the important role of forests in regulating climate not only helps to develop appropriate climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies but also to attain better biodiversity conservation and food security, and to go beyond just carbon sequestration services.