Essay On Ethical Issues In National Forest

analysis of the ethical issue

John Muir once said, “Where one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” His understanding of the connection of nature to the world would be helpful regarding today’s ethical issue of clearcutting happening in Tongass National Forest. Firstly, this practice involves completely clearing an area of trees, regardless of the shape and usability. Then, the remaining scrub and brush are just burned off which leaves smoky haze for several days. Tongues Nation Forest is considered the “crown jewel” of America’s forest because it is the home to 800 years old trees, black and brown bears, wolves, bald eagles, Sitka black-tailed deer, moose, humpback, whales, orcas, sea otters, Steller sea lions. However, Sealaska, the largest private land owner in the Southeast Alaska wants to invade the forest through clear cut logging.Clearcutting or clearfelling can have serious environmental impacts. Abrupt removal of shady shield trees will

cause an elevation in the temperature of trees, which can further lead to decrease in the population of river plants and fishes. Trees trap and retain water and by clear cutting, the water will run off causing flooding and valuable nutrient loss. Excessive nutrients will then harm the marine organism. Scientist have found that clearcutting has also destroyed habitats including endangered species. Some animals can adapt, but those who cannot will quickly die off.

description of the land
The act of clear cutting is practiced throughout Alaska. The majority of clear cutting happens primarily in the southeastern part of Alaska in Tongas National Forest. It was established on September 10, 1907. It is 17 million acres (69,000 km) and that is why, it is considered America’s Largest National Forest. Tongass National Forest includes Misty Fjords Nat. Monument Wilderness, which is 2.1 million acres. It also has Maurelle Islands Wilderness of about 4,937 acres. Tongas waters house 128 glaciers; all 5 species of Pacific salman. Tongas is home to approximately 70,00 people spread around 32 communities.

your conclusion
Continuous clear cutting of trees is unethical.

Tongass National Forest like many other forest are natural sinks of carbon dioxide, produce fresh oxygen, regulate temperature and rainfall. On November 12, the Alaska National Interest Land Conservation Act was passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Jimmy carter. This federal law provided special protection to over 157,000,000 acres of land, including national forests. As agreeing with the law, it is morally wrong because by clear cutting Tongass National Forest, we are destroying the habitat of many animals and plants and causing them to extinct. Not only for some economic benefits, we should protect our environment for our own sake because we are slowly polluting our environment, which will leave our future generations with serious health problems. Because of the numerous negative effects of clearcutting, many people should be concerned and find environmentally sustainable alternatives like selective

logging.