“Forests are the world’s air-conditioning system – the lungs of the planet – and we are on the verge of switching it off». -- PRINCE CHARLES. Speaking at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Indonesia (3 Nov 2008)
Nobody can deny the fact that continual deforestation is a driving force behind such environmental issues as global warming, desertification and enhanced greenhouse effect. A vast majority of trees are burned by wildfires which mostly occur in some southern countries, namely Indonesia, USA and Brazil. However, we human are to blame for the conversion of forestlands into wastelands because of all of the destructive actions that are done by people such as illegal logging, utilizing forestlands for agriculture, and urbanization. Therefore, we should shoulder a huge responsibility for protecting forests and mitigating negative consequences of deforestation in order to leave a safe and green planet for the generation to come.
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Scientifically, forests are instrumental in maintenance of a natural balance as they are home to millions, if not billions, of a wide variety of species, including and many which are rare and endangered (e.g. orangutans, gorillas, and pandas). In addition, trees are amazing natural air filters capable of observing harmful carbon dioxide and turning it into oxygen. Furthermore, they clean the soil, muffle noise pollution and prevent soil erosion. Take the example of virgin forests, around six percent of the world’s forests are in arid lands where they hold soil in place, replenish ground water and are thought to also encourage rainfall.(Source: How It Works Book of Incredible Earth). However much we know about the benefits of forests, most of us are ignorant of deforestation and, consequently, it is spreading its wings broader year by year. According to recent statistics, forests still cover 30% of the world’s land area, but swaths half the size of England are lost each year.(Source: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/)
On a global scale, there was a dramatic growth in tree-cover loss from around 17,5 million hectares to about 28,5 million hectares between 2011 and 2016, a rise of approximately 11 million hectares in 6 six years. This means that the world is coming to the final stage of deforestation, which in turn, may lead to the disturbance of the natural balance. For these reasons, protecting trees is a desperately important topic today.
Let us take a closer look at several major causes of the increase in deforestation, coupled with catastrophes involved global warming, air pollution, climate change and a few optimal solutions to limit the damage.
Problem:
1. Agricultural expansion and outcomes
The more crowded the planet becomes, the higher the demand for food is. This is reflected in the transformation of forests into agricultural plantations, making it the major cause of deforestation. Indeed, farmers are encouraged to convert fertile soil of forests into farmlands with the hope of reaching an effective food production. Indonesia, for example, is the largest palm oil manufacturer and was named as the “Fastest Forest Destroyer” the in 2008 Guinness World Records. Even when efforts are made to replenish poor plantations, the depleted soil is not able to produce the same biodiversity it once was. (Source: https://www.onegreenplanet.org). Obviously, this process is exactly how agricultural expansion can transform breathtaking forestlands into barren terrain. In accordance with scientific research, deforested lands heat up easily and reach high temperatures; this may pay the way for drought, less rain and, worryingly, desertification.
2. Urbanization
A relatively recent phenomenon, so-called urban sprawl, is occurring in many countries, where the government is forced to accommodate an ever-increasing number of city dwellers. Therefore, state authorities are giving permission to make use of rural areas even if it requires clearing the woods. This means such wooden sites are permanently and irreversibly damaged. Statistically, cities worldwide are growing by 1.4 million new inhabitants every week. Urban land area is expanding, on average, twice as fast as civic communities. The figures are projected to escalate further by more than 1.2 million square kilometers between 2000 and 2030. (Source: https://www.blogs.worldwatch.org).
Proposal:
Vertical farming
The most efficient solution for agricultural expansion is a “vertical farm”. The concept is a multi-storied building in which food crops are grown in environmentally controlled conditions. These types of structures can be situated in the heart of urban centers so there is no need for clearing forests for farming purposes. Interestingly, high-rise farms take less space and ensure more enhanced productivity compared to the ordinary ones.
In doing so, farmers would be able to produce crops all year round, considering the crops are not seasonal. Photosynthesis occurs when artificial lights support crops that are grown organically without any pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides. As a result, this process can directly increase the amount of food that we grow thereby ensuring not only effective food production, but also rainforest protection. Scarce space can also be solved with the help of vertical farms because they save extra agricultural lands and pave the way for sustainable urban development.
Problem:
3. Illegal logging
It is commonly believed that illegal logging is a driving force behind deforestation. Again, Indonesia is a vivid example. It is considered one of the biggest exporters of timber, with about 80 percent being exported illegally. It is also estimated that organized criminals gain between 10-15 billion dollars annually from illegal logging. (Source: https://www.onegreenplanet.org). Apart from this, wood-based industries like paper, match-sticks, and furniture and also need a substantial amount of wood supply. As the need for wood increases, furniture manufacturers are building roads to access more and more remote forests—which lead to further deforestation. This means that demand for wood products can threaten forests around the world because, most people are obsessed with disposable paper products and hardwood flooring.
In addition to the illegal activities of loggers, humanity faces such natural disasters as forest wildfires, earthquakes and extreme weather conditions which can kill trees with ease. Take the 2018 California wildfires as an example: there have been a series of wildfires that have burned across the state of California. As of October 22, an area of 1,519,931 million acres was in flame due to a total of 7,177 fires had burned according to the figures presented by the California Department of Forestry and National Interagency Fire center. Firestorms occur mostly in summer and autumn when the vegetation is tinder dry. Climate change may be already increasing the risk of mega-fires by making summers ever hotter and drier. The Rocky Mountain Climate Organization, for example, has reported that from 2003 to 2007 the 11 western US states warmed by an average of one degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) every year. The fire danger has increased by 78 days since 1986.
Proposal:
1. Tax policy
In order to mitigate environmental problems caused by deforestation, some early solutions ought to be put forward. Firstly, coherent tax policies aimed by paper manufacturing enterprises and furniture companies should be adopted by the state authorities. Tree logging companies must pay for what they have done as they are huge drivers of tree loss. Cutting a tree may take a few minutes, but growing it may take several decades.
Some big companies like Nestle and McDonalds can serve as role models to both non-governmental and public-funded organizations which are paving the way for further deforestation. These two food production companies are doing a tremendous job of taking care of rainforests. McDonalds contributes remarkably by backing up the reforestation process financially and being active in the protection of forests and negative vegetation in the Amazon, Cerrado, and Chaco. Source:( https://www.nestle.com and https://www.corporate.mcdonalds.com ).
2. Collaboration
Moreover, paper and furniture production companies should cooperate with environmental organizations in order to recover all trees that have been cut as it would be much more efficient and effective to replant immediately because prevention is better than cure. One of the most powerful furniture manufacturing company IKEA may serve as a role model to others as this company took a proactive stance on environmental issues and tried to eliminate future incidents through a variety measures in the 1980s and in 1992 (Source: https://www.en.m.wikipedia.org) . Another example is the “The Sow a Seed Foundation” project which was initiated by the IKEA Group in 1998 to rehabilitate rainforest devastated by logging and forest fires in the state of Sabah in Malaysian Borneo. The aim is to restore the rainforest by planting a diverse range of indigenous tree species. In the initial phase, IKEA customers contributed generously with start-up funding for “The Sow a Seed Foundation” project.
3. Plastic usage
Another ultimate solution for this dire threat is being eco-friendly by using plastics or other types of recyclable materials instead of wood, thereby eliminating upcoming natural disasters. One of the best example of this is introducing uniquely designed plastic items of furniture which are more durable and compatible with today’s world compared to ordinary wooden pieces of furniture. The reason why plastic furniture is eco-friendlier is that this types of furniture are not self-destructive, they last long and can be recycled whereas the wooden ones may eradicate themselves after about 10 or 15 years. Nevertheless, a vast majority of people consider wooden furniture much more natural and healthy than plastics. In fact, it is not as safe as they think this is mainly because furniture producers also add some kind of chemicals and colors to make that products more attention-grabbing. Therefore, these new products should be advertised on mass media and promoted by famous film stars these commercials can help plastic goods to gain popularity in the market.
4. Punishment
Last but not least, loggers acting illegally should be administered with a severe punishment. For instance, if someone chops the trees down without any rights, this person should be given a long jail sentence where they can learn their lesson. During this prison term, inmates--illegal loggers, must plant more than a thousand trees and then discharged from jail or their prison term can be reduced in accordance with the number of trees they planted. The main advantage from this solution is opening loggers’ eyes and forcing them to know how hard the process of tree plantation is and how much effort it requires by involving them in that scheme.
Problem:
4. Negligence of people in terms of forestry
In this day and age, people have become more reckless with their surroundings, let alone conserving rainforests. They act as if natural resources including wood, fuel and water do not run out, but nothing lasts forever. There has been a significant rise in using trees as a fuel and timber. The most hated topic for a vast majority of people is environmental issues. While we were careless about deforestation, one of the thorniest challenges in the world, other beautiful souls have already started contributing to the tree plantation without any thinking.
A blind man named Jia Haixia and his friend, a double amputee with no arms named Jia Wengi, have spent more than 10 years replanting trees to revive the once-fertile environment around Yeli village in northern eastern China. Haixia was born blind in one eye and lost the other in 2000 in a work-related accident. Wengi lost both of his arms in an accident when he was only 3 years old. Together, they have leased 8 acres of land from the government and have begun replanting the land with trees to protect the village from flooding. Source:( https://www.boredpanda.com ). We are all humans but differently-abled. These too handicapped men are truly commendable for the good deeds they have done
Proposal:
1. Using the power off mass media
It is true that encouraging citizens to be more environmentally friendly by using the mass media is not just as lip service. The advertisements about the life-threatening consequences of deforestation helps to melt humans’ savage souls by giving real-life examples that are happening around the world. such as floods or droughts and deaths of people from global warming. For example, in Uzbekistan, with the help of media the government strives to urge people to plant more trees in their streets and create tree lines on the roads annually as their civic duty.
2. Forestry as a compulsory subject
Forestry ought to be implemented as a mandatory subject at school curriculum by the governors because it can be effective as long as they start increasing public concern on preserving mother nature from their early ages. Environmental education must include outdoor activities and other interactive themes which grab children’s attention like planting flowers or looking after trees. As a result, tree planting may become a routine for children. Even if each child, plant one tree annually, it will create a big impact on global warming. One of the most active non-governmental, non-profit, social service volunteer organizations happens to be CHHASE -- Community Health, Housing and Social Education in India, which is doing a great job of motivating people as well as children to plant trees. Their volunteers visit children’s homes frequently to see how the plants are growing with give advice to children on how to take care of them. All supports of volunteers availed the organization to plant 140,000 saplings so far in school areas as well as waste lands.
3. Advanced tech against deforestation
Nobody can deny the fact that since the innovative Seedbomb was introduced conventional tree planting has already become a thing of the past because it is time-consuming and labor-intensive. The Seedbomb sows shoots into the soil in the blink of an eye and this the most effective way to accomplish reforestation. When a Seedbomb is released from an airplane, Seedbomb is disassembled in the air and the seed capsules inside of the bomb spread out widely and fall on the ground. However innovative the idea is, it has not proved to be cost-effective because they plant shoots from the sky via a helicopter or plane and the shoots’ biodegradable containers are expensive for the replantation of forests and require quite a huge investment to develop.
Conclusion
All things considered, one of the most controversial issues facing humanity today is ever-increasing deforestation. In fact, forests are backbone of the Earth; they are instrumental in filtering the air from toxic fumes in the atmosphere but we are losing forestlands half the size of England annually and there are several contributing factors to this global issue. First reason why trees are being cut down is agricultural expansion and urbanization. In an effort to reduce lands used for agriculture and constructions, vertical farming should be developed. High-rise farms not only decrease the usage of too much land, but they also increase the productivity of food growth. Secondly, illegal logging can be solved by implementation of prison sentence, stricter taxation system as well as collaboration with Environment agencies, thereby lessening the number of illegal loggers. Yet it is no secret that humans are the destroyers and the potential savers of nature. Because of booming population, the need for wood is increasing daily and in addition to this forests are shrinking by wildfires yearly. Unless we pursue a key aim of setting up a tree nursery, deforestation stretches wider and wider. It is time to go green and use plastic pieces of furniture under the motto of reuse, reduce, recycle. The introduction of plastic furniture can be ingenious solution to reduce demand for timber. Thirdly, people are ignorant about the current condition of the environment and upcoming risks of further deforestation as a result of using wood for fuel. If the authorities increase the public awareness via mass media, they can achieve the change of people’s mindset. Another comprehensive solution is ratifying the Forestry as an intrinsic subject of school curriculum, by doing so bringing up beneficial members for the society whose hearts are full of love for mother nature. Last but not least, Seedbomb ought to be introduced sufficiently because it is time-efficient and it plants shoots by itself without the intervention of people.
It seems that the maxim is now signaling the day is coming when nature wants to take its revenge on humans. As climate change worsens, so does the speed of global warming. Man will face terribly cold winters and insufferably hot summers. Worse yet, no individual might walk without a gas mask or an oxygen mask simply because no forest is left to purify retained air pollution. It is clear cut that we cannot withstand vengeance of mother nature, because this is no longer a wakeup call. As Darrel Putman said “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
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