DEFORESTATION
Almost everywhere at present deforestation may be defined as the larger
clearances and/or destruction of forests and stands among the present
issues of concern to the environment. Its consequence goes beyond just
having lost these trees; its effect is on basically every aspect of climate
stability, biodiversity, and livelihoods of lacunae communities. Even so,
from agricultural expansion, logging, and urbanization, the other
immediate outcomes of deforestation include increasing population and
the increasing per capita demand for resources. An examination of
deforestation with this in mind will show at once that a multi-dimensional
approach will help in lessening its negative impacts and in promoting
sustainable practices.
Agricultural expansion significantly contributes to deforestation since
feeding a population that keeps rising relentlessly calls for more
conversion of forests into arable land. Activities like cattle ranching and
cash cropping the likes of soy and palm oil have brought down large scale
deforestation. That means not only trees are lost but also that
ecosystems are disturbed. Logging in both legal and illegal forms
therefore adds fuel to the burning fire, as timber is harvested for
construction, paper, and furniture. This insatiable appetite for products
has led to unsustainable practices further degrading forest habitats.
Further, urbanization contributes enormously to deforestation; as cities
expand and infrastucture projects encroach on forested lands, land-use
changes become irreversible.
It can only be sad and quite tragic. climate change is accelerated as one
of the serious consequences brought about by deforestation. In fact,
forests are generally considered as carbon sinks, which means their
absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere keeps the latter in
moderately low concentrations. When the trees are felled, this stored
carbon is set free, thus aggravating global warming. Moreover, owing to
less forest land, there will be less capacity to sequester carbon on the
planet, which troubles the already bad climate further. Crossing beyond
climate, deforestation betokens a considerable threat to biodiversity.
Many habitats suffer destruction, and thus millions of species of plants
and animals, many of those, already on the decline from extinction, are in
peril. It also affects indigenous communities derived from forests for
their livelihoods in a terrible way; their sustenance depends heavily on
such healthy ecosystems, as do their cultural practices.
A multidimensional approach is a must to combat deforestation
effectively. To that end, sustainable land-use practices will have to be at
the forefront in ensuring that agricultural expansion is not at the
expense of forests. A stronger legal framework regarding regulations for
logging and land use would also help to protect fragile ecosystems.
Lastly, however, consumers do have an important part to play in this
combat: responsible purchasing decisions will create a market for
sustainably sourced goods. The restoration of degraded lands will also
require investments in reforestation programs, making it important for
rehabilitating ecosystems and increasing carbon sequestration.
Combating deforestation is a shared responsibility of the government,
the corporate sector, and the people in general. The health of the planet
and the sake of coming generations hang in the balance as we battle
against this pressing issue. It is now our collaborative responsibility to
promote sustainable practices, enforce legal frameworks, and cultivate a
sense of conscious consumption to help us in preventing our forests from
destruction and securing a viable future. Now is the time to stand up and
come together; the survival of our ecosystems and the diverse life that
depends on them is at stake. Every person must perform a role in this
urgent matter, for together we can inflict a mighty blow against the
destruction of forests.
-Glorie Jeanne M. Mendoza And Mary Bernadette C. Gregorio
