Deforestation in Haiti is a severe environmental problem. Haitians burn wood charcoal for 60% of their domestic energy production. In 1923 over 60% of Haiti's land was forested. In 2006, less than 2% of the land was forested. This estimate has been challenged as incorrect and a product of cultural bias by researchers conducting actual research, and the true basis for this 2% estimate is unknown. A better estimate is 32% and much of the impetus for earlier estimates of 2% were likely biased researchers attempting to characterize the independent black republic of Haiti as overpopulated and ignorant. In recent times, this 2% estimate, that has no basis in scientific literature, has been used repeatedly by non profit and charities to solicit donations and characterise Haiti and Haitians as eit