Deforestation and How You Can Help

By: Isobel Li

Dorothy Stang once said “the death of the forest is the end of our life,” and she’s absolutely correct. Not only do 80% of terrestrial animals live in a forest ecosystem, but almost a third of the world also directly depends on forests to live. That’s nearly 2.6 billion people, and that number continues to grow by the day. In the past 25 years, we’ve lost more than 502,000 square miles of forest—that’s nearly two Texases—and in 2018, The Guardian reported that every second, a soccer field-sized piece of forest is cut down. 

So, what exactly is deforestation? 
Deforestation is the permanent removal of trees. Forests are cut down to make room for agriculture, grazing, and to obtain timber for various purposes. The soaring demand for wood products is a threat to our forests; if we continue to consume at our current rate, in 80 years, there will be no forest left on Earth. 

What are the effects of deforestation?

1. Loss of trees results in decreased water quality. 75% of Earth’s freshwater supply comes from forested watersheds, areas of land that drain rivers and rainfall into a larger body of water. Trees are crucial to keeping watersheds efficient. They reduce the amount of water in the ground by catching rain on their canopies and absorbing water in the soil through their roots by a process called osmosis. Forested land prevents runoff, which can destroy properties, habitats, and erode stream channels. 
2. Deforestation contributes to global warming. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas. It’s been found that tropical trees alone mitigate about 23% of the necessary amount to offset climate change. Additionally, clearing forests produces greenhouse gas emissions. Deforestation contributes to 1/5th of global greenhouse gas emissions, second to burning fossil fuels. 
3. Deforestation destroys habitats. 70% of land animal and plant species are found in the forest. Loss of habitats means the loss of species, and there may even be unknown results that extend to our daily lives. For example, the extinction of honey bees means the eventual extinction of the human race. These invisible links are unpredictable and a threat to all living things.

There are so many more adverse effects to deforestation, many of which are still being researched by scientists. Ending deforestation is crucial to saving our planet, protecting wildlife, maintaining ourselves, and restoring ecological balance. 
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So, what can we do to help? 
There are so many ways to be environmentally conscious, but here is a list of 6 ideas that are simple and make a big impact on our world. 

1. Plant a tree! Cutting down trees releases billions of tons of carbon dioxide into the air. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Tree leaves absorb carbon dioxide (about 48 pounds annually at their most productive age) and release oxygen in return. Additionally, tree roots prevent landslides and rock slides. Planting a tree is infinitely beneficial to your community.
2. Go paperless when possible! Two million trees are cut daily for the US paper demand alone, and a significant amount of trees are logged illegally. 
3. Eat less meat. Animal agriculture requires a lot of land, and demand for meat continues to rise, which is the reason around 70% of cleared Amazon rainforest land is for cattle ranches. 
4. Reduce, reuse, recycle! It’s a classic phrase, but recycling and shopping second-hand is extremely beneficial to the environment. It’s important to cut down on wood consumption, which can be done through obtaining goods second-hand or finding a new use for an old item. Recycling 10% of all paper used by the average American annually would result in 25 million trees being saved. This proves that you can make a notable difference!
5. Support anti-deforestation organizations. There are numerous organizations on both international and local levels that fight deforestation and work to keep the Earth green. Some well-known organizations are Greenpeace, World Wildlife Fund, Rainforest Alliance, and so many more! Keep an eye out for volunteer and donation opportunities. Even visiting their website is a meaningful contribution! 
6. Start a conversation in your community. This is a great way to raise awareness about environmental problems and teach others about how they can make a difference. The more people choose to be eco-conscious, the greater the positive impact can be made. There are so many ways to help, including other ideas not mentioned in this list. This just goes to show that anyone can make a change in the world, including yourself.

Sources: 
​Live Science
https://www.livescience.com/27692-deforestation.html#:%7E:text=Deforestation%20is%20the%20permanent%20removal,to%20the%20World%20Wildlife%20Fund
Greentumble
greentumble.com/15-strategies-to-reduce-deforestation
Pachamama Alliance
www.pachamama.org/effects-of-deforestation
Center for Watershed Protection (CWP)
www.cwp.org/urban-watershed-forestry.
United States Geological Survey (USGS)
https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/watersheds-and-drainage-basins?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/global-greenhouse-gas-emissions-data#Sector.