5 ways to stop deforestation

We need trees for so many reasons ... here's how to keep them around.

JENN SAVEDGE 

January 12, 2009, 9:42 p.m.

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Deforestation (Photo: crustmania/flickr)

Trees are absolutely vital to life here on Earth, but they are also being destroyed
at an alarming rate.  So many of the choices we make throughout the day when
we're shopping, eating, or even driving, are powered by deforestation.  Trees are
cut and burned down for a number of reasons. Forests are logged to supply
timber for wood and paper products, and to clear land for crops, cattle, and
housing. Other causes of deforestation include mining and oil exploitation,
urbanization, acid rain and wildfires. And according to the United Nation's Food
and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the 33 million acres of forestland that are
lost annually around the globe are responsible for 20% of human-caused
greenhouse gas emissions.  Deforestation also contributes toair and water
pollution, a loss of biodiversity, erosion, and climatic disruption.

So what can you do about deforestation?

One easy way to combat deforestation is to plant a tree. But you can take it one
step further by making sure the choices you make at home, at the store, at work,
and on the menu don’t contribute to the problem. Here’s what you can do about
deforestation.

1. Plant a tree.
2. Go paperless.
3. Recycle and buy recycled products.
4. Look for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification on wood and
wood products.
5. Eat vegetarian meals as often as possible.

Related deforestation articles on MNN:

 Website tracks deforestation in real time

 7 striking examples of deforestation from NASA

Link- https://www.mnn.com/family/family-activities/blogs/5-ways-to-
stop-deforestation