Post by Fire Lily on Mar 30, 2009 21:58:30 GMT -6
You Wouldn’t Shoot Yourself in the Foot, so why destroy the Forests?
I have experienced the affects of deforestation first hand. Let your mind wonder, and take a look through my eyes -- Everywhere I look, trees sway in the breeze. An owl’s cry reaches my ears, and the sweet smell of wild flowers attract my thoughts, as I walk down the old gravel road. My feet add to the beautiful sounds of nature... Crunch... Crunch...Crunch... I think about how beautiful this place is. I am completely surrounded by giant cottonwood trees, which are whispering their secrets and wisdom in the breeze. Most of these trees have been around for centuries. They have silently watched as the world changed around them; never complaining or protesting.
Then one day, the trees disappeared. The flowers were no more, and the gravel turned to pavement. Instead of beauty and countryside, there is cold, concrete and homes. Many of these homes stand alone and empty. Thousands of trees were cut down and animal’s habitats were destroyed. One by one, until there were no more. What happened to cutting down trees due to demand, and not because of one man’s greed?
Two-fifths of the Earth was once covered by trees. This was eight thousand years ago, when people had little effect on Earth’s ecosystems. More than half of these forestlands have now been destroyed (Ausubel et al, 1).
Deforestation has been around for over one thousand years. The ancient Greeks and Romans were some of the first groups to practice it. This tradition has kept on, and now our forests are disappearing (Abramovitz et al, 1).
According to Gail Schoettler, of the Denver Post, forests prevent landslides and erosion. Forests absorb water and like a “sponge” release it. Spring run off is slowed down, and water is gradually released as is necessary. Without forests, the topsoil would be washed away and would pollute our waterways(1).
For example, in China’s Yangtze watershed, deforestation is to blame for a devastating flood there. Eighty-five percent of the trees there were cut down. When flood waters rose, the soil wasn’t held in place and landslides occurred. Millions of people died, crops failed, and billions of dollars had to be spent in aid (Abramovitz et al, 1).
Deforestation not only effects earth, but also the atmosphere. Earth Scientist, Gifford Miller, describes how vegetation changes can affect how the land absorbs and reflects sunlight and how it radiates heat. Precipitation can also be affected. He writes: “Plants recycle moisture locally by absorbing rain water through their roots and transpiring it back the air through their leaves. Half of the Amazon jungle precipitation is recycled like this, in the rainy season.” Replacing the forests, can have long term climate effects(Cowen, 2).
Forests support many forms of life. They are very diverse, especially, in the tropics. They help protect the Earth from green house gasses, which can trap heat into the atmosphere. Forests keep us in order and add beauty to the world (Ausubel et al, 1)
The population of people on Earth has grown enormously. Thus, the demand for trees and tree products have increased. People have been using this natural resource for cooking, building materials, paper, and as a heating source (Ausubel et al, 1).
Today, wood use is still increasing. Buildings can be built with more eco friendly materials, and everyone could reduce their purchases that involve wood products. Special orders of rare woods that are not found near you, are being cut down to make a table or chair that you just cant live without. Some species are close to extinction because of this practice (Abramovitz et al, 2).
There are many causes of deforestation. Logging and farming are the biggest threats to forests. According to Time’s millennial Earth Day Issue, “agriculture is the world’s biggest cause of deforestation” (Ausubel, 1). One study predicts that by 2050, one half of the world’s forests will be regularly sawed by lumberjack (Ausubel, 2).
Conservation groups normally blame farmers for forest problems, but farmers can help. They can grow trees in an attempt to restore the world’s forests. Also, conservationists believe foresters are at fault. Big Timber, a logging company, and Big Green, a environmentalist group, need to come together and compromise. They have been at odds for many years. Both groups need to try and agree in order to help the environment (Ausubel, 4)
In Brazil, half a percent of the Amazon is destroyed each year. This is caused by fires, ranching, farming, and timber cutting. It is estimated that four-fifths of the trees felled are illegally cut down in Brazil. The Brazilian government, however, is attempting to replace these trees by replanting (Ausubel, 1).
Many of these trees are wasted, because proper equipment and training may be hard to come by. This causes many problems with efficiency. For example: Brazil only uses one-third of the wood it saws. The other two-thirds is discarded. It is predicted that if Brazil improves itself, they could produce the same amount, and only cut one-third of the previous amount (Abramovitz et al, 3)
The Great Restoration, according to Jesse Ausubel, is helping the world’s forests. He writes: “Efficient farmers and foresters are learning to spare forestland by growing more food and fiber in ever-smaller areas.” Also, metal, plastic, and electricity uses are up, which means timber is needed less. Along with the recycling of paper (1).
We use paper everyday. I normally use at least ten pages of paper a day. Sometimes more and sometimes less. We need to do our part and recycle. When my cousins from Colorado come to North Dakota, they can’t believe that we don’t recycle more. They recycle everything from paper to glass bottles. Our state could do its part to try and reduce the fact that one-fifth of the harvest consumption is used toward paper.
“Worldwide, forty-one percent of all paper is recovered for recycling,” writes Abramovitz. The United States’ total waste has doubled in the last 30 years. More than half of this is a paper or wood product, which could be recycled. Our country can do its part to reduce pressure on forests and re-use the resources (2).
Mills have improved their efficiency through forest practices and technologies. These technologies include improvement of harvesting, processing, and recycling. Machines are able to use much more than previous ways. Forty to fifty percent of wood entering a mill comes out as solid lumber. The other percentage is used in other product (Abramovitz et al, 2).
The way wood is used has improved greatly in the past decade. Abramovitz writes: “Rising consumption and declining forest, combined with economic and social pressures have spurred improvements in how efficiently wood is utilized” (2).
Mark Anslow makes a very good point-- “People need to acknowledge the wider value of forests, not as mere carbon sinks, but as rich habitats, providing more value to mankind than anyone has realized.” In Costa Rica, locals have acted as guardians of the forests. The government has offered families fifty dollars a month, in the understanding, that they will preserve their trees (1).
Many people believe tree plantations could help the deforestation problems. As much as one half of the world’s supply could come from these by 2050. Ausubel writes: “An industry that draws from the planted forests rather than cutting from the wild, will disturb one-fifth or less of the area for the same volume of wood. Instead of logging half the worlds forests, humanity can leave almost ninety percent of them minimally disturbed.” (4).
Every year it is estimated that recreational use of woodlands creates 2,600,000 jobs, and adds 97,800,000,000 dollars to the economy. Logging adds 76,000 jobs and 3,500,000,000 dollars to the economy (Abramovitz et al, 3) The benefits of preserving the forests is also higher. Clean air, diverse ecosystems, and the never ending beauty will live on through recreational use.
“Forest Plantations, crafting strategies for increasing the efficiency of milling, examining the potentials for recycling, and substituting other materials for wood, creating programs for the regulatory capacity that perversely affect wood production and use,” writes Ausubel, “Can all be goals to help the world’s forests. (4).
People do not recognize how the use of wood in such large amounts is a problem, or they choose to ignore it. We need to face the problem head on. WE can make the difference. It can be as simple as choosing a smaller home, decorations, recycling habits, and supporting conservation groups such as the Arbor Day Foundation (Arbor Day is April 24), Earth Day (April 22), or even planting a tree in your backyard. One tree at a time, we will preserve our forests. If we don’t who will? We need to conserve our world now, so that the generations after us can all enjoy and appreciate the beauty of nature. All it takes is one person to make the choice.
Will you?
I have experienced the affects of deforestation first hand. Let your mind wonder, and take a look through my eyes -- Everywhere I look, trees sway in the breeze. An owl’s cry reaches my ears, and the sweet smell of wild flowers attract my thoughts, as I walk down the old gravel road. My feet add to the beautiful sounds of nature... Crunch... Crunch...Crunch... I think about how beautiful this place is. I am completely surrounded by giant cottonwood trees, which are whispering their secrets and wisdom in the breeze. Most of these trees have been around for centuries. They have silently watched as the world changed around them; never complaining or protesting.
Then one day, the trees disappeared. The flowers were no more, and the gravel turned to pavement. Instead of beauty and countryside, there is cold, concrete and homes. Many of these homes stand alone and empty. Thousands of trees were cut down and animal’s habitats were destroyed. One by one, until there were no more. What happened to cutting down trees due to demand, and not because of one man’s greed?
Two-fifths of the Earth was once covered by trees. This was eight thousand years ago, when people had little effect on Earth’s ecosystems. More than half of these forestlands have now been destroyed (Ausubel et al, 1).
Deforestation has been around for over one thousand years. The ancient Greeks and Romans were some of the first groups to practice it. This tradition has kept on, and now our forests are disappearing (Abramovitz et al, 1).
According to Gail Schoettler, of the Denver Post, forests prevent landslides and erosion. Forests absorb water and like a “sponge” release it. Spring run off is slowed down, and water is gradually released as is necessary. Without forests, the topsoil would be washed away and would pollute our waterways(1).
For example, in China’s Yangtze watershed, deforestation is to blame for a devastating flood there. Eighty-five percent of the trees there were cut down. When flood waters rose, the soil wasn’t held in place and landslides occurred. Millions of people died, crops failed, and billions of dollars had to be spent in aid (Abramovitz et al, 1).
Deforestation not only effects earth, but also the atmosphere. Earth Scientist, Gifford Miller, describes how vegetation changes can affect how the land absorbs and reflects sunlight and how it radiates heat. Precipitation can also be affected. He writes: “Plants recycle moisture locally by absorbing rain water through their roots and transpiring it back the air through their leaves. Half of the Amazon jungle precipitation is recycled like this, in the rainy season.” Replacing the forests, can have long term climate effects(Cowen, 2).
Forests support many forms of life. They are very diverse, especially, in the tropics. They help protect the Earth from green house gasses, which can trap heat into the atmosphere. Forests keep us in order and add beauty to the world (Ausubel et al, 1)
The population of people on Earth has grown enormously. Thus, the demand for trees and tree products have increased. People have been using this natural resource for cooking, building materials, paper, and as a heating source (Ausubel et al, 1).
Today, wood use is still increasing. Buildings can be built with more eco friendly materials, and everyone could reduce their purchases that involve wood products. Special orders of rare woods that are not found near you, are being cut down to make a table or chair that you just cant live without. Some species are close to extinction because of this practice (Abramovitz et al, 2).
There are many causes of deforestation. Logging and farming are the biggest threats to forests. According to Time’s millennial Earth Day Issue, “agriculture is the world’s biggest cause of deforestation” (Ausubel, 1). One study predicts that by 2050, one half of the world’s forests will be regularly sawed by lumberjack (Ausubel, 2).
Conservation groups normally blame farmers for forest problems, but farmers can help. They can grow trees in an attempt to restore the world’s forests. Also, conservationists believe foresters are at fault. Big Timber, a logging company, and Big Green, a environmentalist group, need to come together and compromise. They have been at odds for many years. Both groups need to try and agree in order to help the environment (Ausubel, 4)
In Brazil, half a percent of the Amazon is destroyed each year. This is caused by fires, ranching, farming, and timber cutting. It is estimated that four-fifths of the trees felled are illegally cut down in Brazil. The Brazilian government, however, is attempting to replace these trees by replanting (Ausubel, 1).
Many of these trees are wasted, because proper equipment and training may be hard to come by. This causes many problems with efficiency. For example: Brazil only uses one-third of the wood it saws. The other two-thirds is discarded. It is predicted that if Brazil improves itself, they could produce the same amount, and only cut one-third of the previous amount (Abramovitz et al, 3)
The Great Restoration, according to Jesse Ausubel, is helping the world’s forests. He writes: “Efficient farmers and foresters are learning to spare forestland by growing more food and fiber in ever-smaller areas.” Also, metal, plastic, and electricity uses are up, which means timber is needed less. Along with the recycling of paper (1).
We use paper everyday. I normally use at least ten pages of paper a day. Sometimes more and sometimes less. We need to do our part and recycle. When my cousins from Colorado come to North Dakota, they can’t believe that we don’t recycle more. They recycle everything from paper to glass bottles. Our state could do its part to try and reduce the fact that one-fifth of the harvest consumption is used toward paper.
“Worldwide, forty-one percent of all paper is recovered for recycling,” writes Abramovitz. The United States’ total waste has doubled in the last 30 years. More than half of this is a paper or wood product, which could be recycled. Our country can do its part to reduce pressure on forests and re-use the resources (2).
Mills have improved their efficiency through forest practices and technologies. These technologies include improvement of harvesting, processing, and recycling. Machines are able to use much more than previous ways. Forty to fifty percent of wood entering a mill comes out as solid lumber. The other percentage is used in other product (Abramovitz et al, 2).
The way wood is used has improved greatly in the past decade. Abramovitz writes: “Rising consumption and declining forest, combined with economic and social pressures have spurred improvements in how efficiently wood is utilized” (2).
Mark Anslow makes a very good point-- “People need to acknowledge the wider value of forests, not as mere carbon sinks, but as rich habitats, providing more value to mankind than anyone has realized.” In Costa Rica, locals have acted as guardians of the forests. The government has offered families fifty dollars a month, in the understanding, that they will preserve their trees (1).
Many people believe tree plantations could help the deforestation problems. As much as one half of the world’s supply could come from these by 2050. Ausubel writes: “An industry that draws from the planted forests rather than cutting from the wild, will disturb one-fifth or less of the area for the same volume of wood. Instead of logging half the worlds forests, humanity can leave almost ninety percent of them minimally disturbed.” (4).
Every year it is estimated that recreational use of woodlands creates 2,600,000 jobs, and adds 97,800,000,000 dollars to the economy. Logging adds 76,000 jobs and 3,500,000,000 dollars to the economy (Abramovitz et al, 3) The benefits of preserving the forests is also higher. Clean air, diverse ecosystems, and the never ending beauty will live on through recreational use.
“Forest Plantations, crafting strategies for increasing the efficiency of milling, examining the potentials for recycling, and substituting other materials for wood, creating programs for the regulatory capacity that perversely affect wood production and use,” writes Ausubel, “Can all be goals to help the world’s forests. (4).
People do not recognize how the use of wood in such large amounts is a problem, or they choose to ignore it. We need to face the problem head on. WE can make the difference. It can be as simple as choosing a smaller home, decorations, recycling habits, and supporting conservation groups such as the Arbor Day Foundation (Arbor Day is April 24), Earth Day (April 22), or even planting a tree in your backyard. One tree at a time, we will preserve our forests. If we don’t who will? We need to conserve our world now, so that the generations after us can all enjoy and appreciate the beauty of nature. All it takes is one person to make the choice.
Will you?