When you hear the word deforestation, do you automatically refer back to second grade when we read the Lorax by Dr. Seuss? Dr. Seuss focused on speaking out against the danger that corporate greed poses to nature, and unfortunately this fictional story has transcended into real life.
Over decades, deforestation has become a very large problem, especially in countries with rain forests. Forests cover about 31% of the land, but each year this percentage decreases due to the large amounts of deforestation. Recently, many big corporations destroy forests for large-scale projects, such as, mining, agriculture, logging, oil and gas development.
Why is cutting our forests so detrimental to the environment? Cutting down trees causes a loss of a home for millions of species, which is harmful because approximately 70% of Earth’s land animals and plants live in forests, and most cannot survive or thrive without the forests. Not only does deforestation take away a habitat for animals and plants, but it also drives climate change. Trees absorb greenhouse gases and carbon emissions, then produce oxygen and continue the water cycle by releasing water vapor into the air. Without trees, forests cannot thrive and will eventually become infertile. Without trees, soil erosion can become a very serious problem, because erosion can arise and clear the land and rivers. The agriculture plants that replace the trees, such as cotton, coffee, and soybeans cannot hold onto the soil and can aggravate soil erosion. Many people don’t realize that this is such a huge problem, because they don’t think of all the effects of deforestation. The effects of deforestation has become a chain reaction of issues that are extremely harmful to our environment.
What can be done to prevent or reduce deforestation? It is impossible to completely stop deforestation, but I believe it is important to preserve our wildlife, prevent climate change, and soil erosion. In order to preserve our environment and forests, we must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using renewable energy. We also need to put pressure on companies that are destroying our forests and introduce them to zero-deforestation policies and have them use more environmental conscious methods to harvest their products. These corporations cutting down our trees either do not realize or do not care that they are destroying our wildlife, and they must be stopped. The greed and selfishness of big corporation must be ended, and should become more aware of the effects they are causing for our environment. “I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees for the trees have no tongues.” –Dr. Seuss
-EB
Over decades, deforestation has become a very large problem, especially in countries with rain forests. Forests cover about 31% of the land, but each year this percentage decreases due to the large amounts of deforestation. Recently, many big corporations destroy forests for large-scale projects, such as, mining, agriculture, logging, oil and gas development.
Why is cutting our forests so detrimental to the environment? Cutting down trees causes a loss of a home for millions of species, which is harmful because approximately 70% of Earth’s land animals and plants live in forests, and most cannot survive or thrive without the forests. Not only does deforestation take away a habitat for animals and plants, but it also drives climate change. Trees absorb greenhouse gases and carbon emissions, then produce oxygen and continue the water cycle by releasing water vapor into the air. Without trees, forests cannot thrive and will eventually become infertile. Without trees, soil erosion can become a very serious problem, because erosion can arise and clear the land and rivers. The agriculture plants that replace the trees, such as cotton, coffee, and soybeans cannot hold onto the soil and can aggravate soil erosion. Many people don’t realize that this is such a huge problem, because they don’t think of all the effects of deforestation. The effects of deforestation has become a chain reaction of issues that are extremely harmful to our environment.
What can be done to prevent or reduce deforestation? It is impossible to completely stop deforestation, but I believe it is important to preserve our wildlife, prevent climate change, and soil erosion. In order to preserve our environment and forests, we must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using renewable energy. We also need to put pressure on companies that are destroying our forests and introduce them to zero-deforestation policies and have them use more environmental conscious methods to harvest their products. These corporations cutting down our trees either do not realize or do not care that they are destroying our wildlife, and they must be stopped. The greed and selfishness of big corporation must be ended, and should become more aware of the effects they are causing for our environment. “I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees for the trees have no tongues.” –Dr. Seuss
-EB