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Deforestation causes and effects on global warming essay
Negative impact of deforestation
Negative impact of deforestation
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Introduction:
Forests cover approximately 3 870 million hectares which is roughly 29% of the Earth’s land area (Clark, Matheny, Cross & Wake, 1997). Almost 47% of the world’s forests are located in the tropical zone, 9% in the sub-tropics and 11% and 33% in the temperate and boreal zones respectively (Oliver, Nasbar, Lippke & McCarter, 2014)). Forests and forested landscapes are known for their significant function in providing numerous environmental services such as water conservation, soil protection and carbon storage (Clark et al., 1997). The genetic diversity in natural forests presents vast potential for the discovery, development and improvement of innovative sources of food and medicines (Clark et al., 1997). Roughly 65% -80% of the
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For example, preservation of soil, air and water quality, flora and fauna and aquatic habitats (FAO, 2010).
The need for sustainable management
Since the Earth Summit held in 1992, the necessity to direct forests sustainably has been well-recognized by the global community (UNEP, 2007). The prime focuses of the UN forest-related forums since then have been to put into practice the objectives of the Summit by promoting Sustainable Forest Management (UNEP, 2007). The latest of such plans was in 2006, when the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF) set four Global Objectives on Forests that are aimed at SFM (UNEP, 2007). They are:
Tackling the loss of forest cover and forest degradation (UNEP, 2007)
Forest-based economic, social and environmental benefits (UNEP, 2007)
Safe guarding forests (UNEP, 2007)
Mobilizing financial resources for the execution of sustainable forest management (UNEP,
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Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) is an approach to generate a financial value for carbon stored in forests by outlaying incentives for developing countries to reduce emissions from forested lands and invest in low-carbon paths to sustainable development (Schyvens et al, 2013). REDD+ further includes the responsibility of conservation, sustainable management of forests and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks (Schyvens
Governments in these countries need to stop thinking of forests as a renewable resource. The rate at which they are harvesting these areas drives them beyond the boundaries of sustainability. The efforts required by reforestation may not initially be cost effective, but it will result in not only the survivability of the environment, but of the country’s economy. Widespread awareness of these ideas will help fight against the natural human tendency towards instant gratification and short-term goals. Different methods of logging can be utilized to allow the rainforests to survive and regrow naturally and at a sustainable
Forests cover 31% of the land area on our planet. They produce vital oxygen and provide homes for people and wildlife. Many of the world’s most threatened and endangered animals live in forests, and 1.6 billion people rely on benefits forests offer, including food, fresh water, clothing, traditional medicine and shelter (drug war facts, Page 1).
Brown, P. (1998). Issues and Opportunities Emerging from the Kyoto Protocol [Special issue]. Climate, and Forests. Abstract retrieved March 30, 2004, from http://www.wri.org/wri/biodiv
FAO: State of the World's Forests. Rome: Food and Agriculture Office of the United Nations; 2007. Print.
Environmental issues affect every life on this planet from the smallest parasite to the human race. There are many resources that humans and animal needs to survive; some of the most obvious resources come from the forests. Forests make up a large percentage of the globe. The forests have global implications not just on life but on the quality of it. Trees improve the quality of the air that species breath, determine rainfall and replenish the atmosphere. The wood from the forests are used everyday form many useful resources. Moreover, thinning the forests increases the amount of available light, nutrients and water for the remaining trees. Deforestation (forest thinning) is one of the most critical issues of environmental problems that are occurring today.
Perry, D. A. (1998). The Scientific Basis of Forestry, Annual Review of Ecology and System Thematic 29:435-466, Retrieved July 9, 2005 from: http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/policy/policy_and_events/index.cfm
Restate thesis: In reality forests are better left alone, forests provide the earth with a regulated climate, strong biodiversity, and good nutrient rich soil for plants to strive on.
Rainforests once covered 14% of the worlds land surface, however now it only covers a mere 6%. It is estimated that all rainforests could be consumed in less than 40 years. Trees are becoming more needed and used everyday. We need them cut down for many reasons such as paper and timber, while also needing them ‘untouched’ for other reasons like oxygen, we have to ask ourselves, which is more important? At the current rate, most of the rainforests are being cut down for resources like paper and timber, but less importance is being placed on main resources like oxygen.
Replantation of trees on marginal crop and pasture lands for the removal of carbon from atmosphere is referred as reforestation. To make this process successful the stored carbon must not return to atmosphere when the tree is burned or when it dies. For this purpose the trees must grow in perpetuity or the wood from them must itself be sequestered, e.g., via bio char, bio-energy with carbon. Short of growth in perpetuity, however, reforestation with long-lived trees (>100 years) will sequester carbon for a more graduated release, minimizing impact during the expected carbon crisis of the 21st century.
Salim, Emil and Ullsten, Ola. Our Forests, Our Future. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 1999.
Agreements of this type have been instituted in Bolivia, Madagascar, Zambia, and other countries.” (K. Lerner and B. Lerner 1). That quote suggests that this potential solution will pay for countries’ debts and in return, the countries have to protect their forests. Since the article states that agreements of this kind have already been instituted, I think that this could work to help prevent deforestation and some of the consequences that
The forests around the world a supply a plethora of community amenities and commercial goods , nevertheless forested terrain progressively is becoming transformed to accommodate other uses, including cropland, pasture, mining, and urban areas, which can produce superior private financial returns. The wide array of benefits the forest provides that vanish directly tied to deforestation have resulted in several policies drafted with the sole intention to reduce the frequency of deforestation. This paper has two primary objectives. First, this paper will review and summarize both the preceding and current research on deforestation. Second, it will emphasize the significance of future research and development, as well as other solutions needed
Refers to natural aspects like the fauna and flora, landscapes, beaches, coral gardens etc that are considered important enough to be preserved for the future generations.
The Australian Rainforest Memorandum, which recognizes the rights of traditional land owners is endorsed by over 40 NGO’s. Working Towards an end to foreign debt is yet another crucial role to ending deforestation. The condition imposed by the International Monetary Fund often forces heavily indebted countries to sell their national resources far in excess of sustainable exploitation.
We have known that deforestation can lead to decline in biodiversity and land degradation. As John Donne has said, “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main”, not only governments are supposed to be responsible for deforestation, individuals should also take responsibilities. There are some things that we can do to help better the situation. For instance, we can refuse to use throwaway chopsticks and purchase wooden furniture, reduce the usage of papers by printing less, and educate others to cherish the forest resources.