Checking the effect of deforestation

The problem of deforestation has been affecting our world from time immemorial. I stand in an affirmative position that the world is actually changing. Various gases are being emitted to the atmosphere as a result of various human activities which has actually put the world in danger and has caused various changes in the atmosphere. […]

The problem of deforestation has been affecting our world from time immemorial. I stand in an affirmative position that the world is actually changing. Various gases are being emitted to the atmosphere as a result of various human activities which has actually put the world in danger and has caused various changes in the atmosphere. Although, we may not be able to testify to these changes as a result of non-visibility of these changes in our physical world. Humans have continued to show lackadaisical attitude towards issues concerning the environment. Little effort is also being put towards limiting deforestation as it has far more dangerous effects on our world more than we can think of.
Deforestation refers to forest annihilation or clearing of forests or trees without replacing them for agricultural purposes, building of structures or other purposes. Just as the name implies, ‘deforestation’, I call it destruction of forests. Based on the estimation of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),7.3 million hectares of forests are lost each year due to deforestation. Indonesia engages in deforestation greatly but other countries like Thailand, Brazil and other countries in Africa engage in deforestation. Most times, deforestation is caused by slapdash government attitude towards it, poorly planned agricultural practices which may include grazing and harvesting of timber for various products, creating more space for urbanization and housing also, self-indulgent attitude by the people. It is noteworthy that deforestation provides area for houses to be built or for agricultural practices to be carried out. The negative effects of deforestation constitute the focal point here. Forests are not just important for the beauty they seem to give our world, they serve as homes for various living organisms and creatures on the planet and deforestation leads to the destruction of their habitat which in turn causes an imbalance in the ecosystem. In my knowledge, no created organism is a mistake both biblically and scientifically, they all have roles to play for the sustainability of the entire ecosystem.
Deforestation contributes to climate change. The emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere foster climate change and trees store a whole lot of carbon dioxide so when trees die, they release a whole lot of carbon to the atmosphere thereby increasing the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. Deforestation can release about a billion tons of carbon into the atmosphere in a year. Here we can notice how deforestation is contributing to the change the world is experiencing like I explained earlier. Deforestation can also lead to soil erosion as the root of trees help to affix the soil and when those trees are gone, the soil is allowed to wash away which may lead to erosion and sometimes flooding. Trees produce water vapor as a result of the water they absorb during rainfall. They help to release the water vapour to the atmosphere. Deforestation also deprives the local inhabitants of the area, their normal access to some of the resources available in the forests as most times whatever the motive of deforestation is; it is not usually to their interest.
A way of thwarting deforestation is embracing reforestation. When trees are cut down for several purposes, they should be grown again so that their replacement would help minimize the negative impact of cutting the trees. The government can help fight against deforestation by enacting laws against it even to the extent of giving due sanctions to erring individuals or groups. Trees of soft wood can be grown to serve the purpose for which big trees are cut down. These trees can be grown in specific areas just for that purpose. It is usually said that when the purpose of a thing is not known, abuse is inevitable. Many people do not have a good understanding of the roles these trees play; they just want to cut them for their use without knowing the negative effects of that. I mean, well composed awareness should be given to the people, on the evils of deforestation and it should also find its way into the syllabus of students in school so that more people will have a good grasp of what deforestation really is.
In conclusion, we now live in a globalized world so the effects of globalization in one country might be felt in another country one way or the other so a wakeup call is needed on this issue as deforestation is a manmade environmental challenge so that in the long run, we all can help save our world the little way we can.
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