What is deforestation ?
Deforestation simply refers to the clearing of green cover and making that land available for residential, industrial or commercial purposes. Tree harvesting is not a criminal act, but environmental sustainability necessitates that when trees are cut down, they ought to be replaced with the new planted ones.
Our forests are natural sinks of carbon dioxide, whilst our trees release oxygen, which is a necessary component in the air that we breathe. There are, of course, numerous other benefits of trees, but providing us with the ability to breathe should be justification enough to care for our trees and forests.
Unfortunately, it is clear that not many people value this intangible benefit as they should. On average, an area of trees equivalent to the size of the Panama is lost every year. As of this year, approximately half of the worlds tropical forests have now been cleared through logging, where no new trees have been planted.
Below are a few of the consequences of deforestation:
Our forests are natural sinks of carbon dioxide, whilst our trees release oxygen, which is a necessary component in the air that we breathe. There are, of course, numerous other benefits of trees, but providing us with the ability to breathe should be justification enough to care for our trees and forests.
Unfortunately, it is clear that not many people value this intangible benefit as they should. On average, an area of trees equivalent to the size of the Panama is lost every year. As of this year, approximately half of the worlds tropical forests have now been cleared through logging, where no new trees have been planted.
Below are a few of the consequences of deforestation:
- Global warming – constant deforestation is increasing the rate of global warming, leading to inevitable permanent climate changes and adverse weather patterns such as severe flooding or drought.
- Desertification – soil needs to contain rainfall and trees help to keep this soil moist. Without trees desert like soil conditions can occur, which leads to a difficulty in plant regrowth. Farming becomes unsustainable in areas that lack trees due to deforestation. In the long-term, this lack of trees can result in famine, hunger, and food insecurity.
- Biodiversity loss – destroying habitats! Animal species can be wiped out, left hungry and forced to migrate. Trees often play a vital role in the necessary cycle of water to reach the animals. Without trees, some animals may not be able to access water, which is a necessary component to live. Species have already become endangered directly because of deforestation including animals such as Jaguars and Black Spider Monkeys.
- Loss of livelihoods/health – people all over the world rely on the forests for their livelihoods. Trees provide them with food to eat, medicinal ingredients, occasionally the forest can even be someone’s home.
How can you help?
By planting trees. By joining us you are funding tree-planting activities that will help replace the trees that we have lost.
Joining us means giving back to the environment. Help biodiversity, decrease global warming, increase the quality of livelihoods and so much more by helping us on our mission to plant more trees.
By planting trees. By joining us you are funding tree-planting activities that will help replace the trees that we have lost.
Joining us means giving back to the environment. Help biodiversity, decrease global warming, increase the quality of livelihoods and so much more by helping us on our mission to plant more trees.