Environmental degradation is a process in which the natural environment is disintegrated

in any possible ways, bringing down to a smaller extent biological diversity as well as the
general health of the environment. Correspondingly, environmental degradation includes the
physical effects such as disfigurement of the land surface, aesthetic degradation effects such as
scenic degradation, and ecological effects such as disruption of biodiversity and deforestation.
Originally this proceeding action can be entirely a natural phenomena, however it became
expedited anthropogenically. Governments of different countries viewed environmental
degradation as one of the utmost threats we are facing worldwide, since we have only been
given one Earth to work with, and if the environment becomes impossible to rectify, it could
mean a disaster of human existence. This issue has become the most common concern for
humankind for at least over the few decades.
Environmental degradation is just an after effect by human practices and the most
aggrieved is the forests that cover 31% of the land area on our planet. It is the humans vital
necessity to survive, likewise, purifying water and air and providing people with jobs; some 13.2
million people across the world have a job in the forest sector and another 41 million have a job
that is related to the sector.
Not just humans who rely on forest resources, most of the animals too . Eighty percent
of the world's land-based species, such as elephants and rhinos, live in forests. Forests also
play a critical role in mitigating climate change because they act as a carbon sink—soaking up
carbon dioxide that would otherwise be free in the atmosphere and contribute to ongoing
changes in climate patterns. But what happens if forest was continuously treated unfairly? Is the
deforestation purpose good for us? What really deforestation is? And why is it a big deal to our
environment?
First of all, I will define what deforestation is. According to Derouin (2019) deforestation
refers to the permanent removal of trees to make room for something besides forest. Such as
clearing the land for agriculture or grazing, or using the timber for fuel, construction or
manufacturing. But forests around the world are under threat, jeopardizing these benefits. The
threats manifest themselves in the form of deforestation and forest degradation. The main
cause of deforestation is agriculture (poorly planned infrastructure is emerging as a big threat
too) and the main cause of forest degradation is illegal logging. In 2019, the tropics lost close to
30 soccer fields' worth of trees every single minute.
Deforestation is a particular concern in tropical rain forests because these forests are
home to much of the world’s biodiversity. In Philippine context where tropical forests and tropical
animals are abundant, deforestation is obviously happening. The destruction of the Philippine
 forest was the subject of a recent study (1999), Decline of the Philippine Forest, by the Institute
of Environmental Science for Social Change (ESSC). This study traces the history of the
decline, examines the causes and effects of deforestation, and discusses emerging
perspectives. The study considers two possible Philippine scenarios for the year 2010. One
assumes that meaningful steps will be taken to reverse the decline and offers some hope; the
other scenario assumes that things will continue as in the past, and the outcome will be a
continued national degradation of resources.
If this economic growth continues to dominate our environment there is a high possibility
that rain forest will cease to exist. And whatever movement or campaign we impose, the
practices are uncontrollable and the effects are getting out of hand day by day.
Mindless consumerism, economic growth and technological development was the most
primary cause and leads to lethal effects on Mother Nature. Despite this, the speed of economic
growth and the demand for it have never slowed. Emphasis has been placed on the role of
science and technology as a catalyst for integrating ecology with economics. In this process,
sustainable development became a laughing stock.

Environmental Science for Social Change (ESSC)., 1999. Decline of the Philippine forest. Bookmark.

Derouin S. 2019. Deforestation: Facts, Causes & Effects, Live Science Contributor.