DEFORESTATION

INTRODUCTION
Forests are vital to our Earth. Trees purify our air, filter our
water, prevent erosion, and act as a buffer against
climate change. They offer a home to plant and animal
species while also providing natural resources such as
medicine, food, timber, and fuel. 300 million people live in
forests worldwide. 60 million of those humans are
indigenous who are completely dependent on native
woods. Become informed on man-made and natural
causes of deforestation and how and why it is affecting
our planet.

What is DEFORESTATION?
Deforestation is the permanent destruction of forests in
order to utilize the land or trees. Typically, deforestation is
clearing a lot of trees without the intention of establishing
future growth. Harvesting, forest fires, and insect
infestations do not count as deforestation because the
affected areas will eventually grow back. In some
countries, such as Canada and America, all areas
harvested must be reforested either by replanting or
through natural regeneration.
Causes of Deforestation
Mining. These projects are often accompanied by large infrastructure construction, such as roads,
railways, and power systems. This contributor to deforestation is putting additional pressure on our forests
and freshwater ecosystems.
Paper. Approximately 640 million trees represent the paper that’s thrown away each year, according to
the Environment Paper Network. If we recycled, we could save 27.5 million tons of carbon dioxide from
going into the atmosphere. By using recycled paper, we allow the forests to remain as an ecosystem and
wildlife habitat.
Overpopulation. Due to overpopulation, more land is needed to establish housing and settlements. As well
as many, many more roads and highways are being built in order to accommodate a larger sum of
people driving. Logging industries will cut down trees for furniture, paper, building materials, and many
more products. These are a direct result of growing human population and is why it’s important to
purchase from sustainable companies which actively work against deforestation
Agriculture Expansion & Livestock Ranching. A major cause of deforestation is agriculture plantations. An
increasing supply-demand for products such as palm oil and soybeans are driving producers to clear
forests at an unnerving rate.
Climate Change. Forests are essentially the lungs of our planet. All plants take in carbon dioxide and
release oxygen. Trees are able to convert more carbon dioxide than a regular plant, though. Forest loss is
often caused by climate change. Tropical rainforests are extremely humid due to the water vapor
released along with the oxygen. But when a forest is cut down, the humidity levels decrease and causes
the remaining plants to dry out. For example, drying out our tropical rainforests increases fire damage. Fires
can be both accidental and intentional but destroy forests quickly.
Effects of Deforestation

Acidic Oceans. The oceans are becoming more acidic with an increased supply of carbon dioxide from
deforestation and burning fossil fuels. Oceans are already 30 percent more acidic since the Industrial
Revolution, putting ocean species and ecosystems at an extreme risk.
Loss of Species. Orangutans, giant pandas, rhinos, and the Asian elephant are just a few of hundreds of
endangered species due to deforestation. Removing trees thins the forest canopy which is meant to
block sun rays during the day and holds in the heat at night. This damaging disruption leads to extreme
temperature swings that are harmful to plants and animals. Many animals, insects, and plants lose their
habitats and may become endangered and even go extinct.
Life Quality Decrease. Millions of people in the world depend on forests for hunting, small-scale
agriculture, gathering, and medicine. Common materials we use every day such as latex, cork, fruit, nuts,
natural oils, and resins are found in the tropical forests. Deforestation disrupts the lives of millions of
people. In Southeast Asia, deforestation has contributed to social conflict and migration.
Flooding and Erosion. Without trees to secure fertile soil, erosion often occurs and sweeps sacred land into
nearby rivers. Erosion also causes contaminants in the soil to leach into the water supply which will greatly
decrease the quality of our drinking water. Forests serve as nature’s water purification plants and as the
rain water percolates within the soil and is held in place by intricate root structures of many layers of trees.
When the protective forest canopy and roots have been destroyed, the soil will lose its proportions to
retain water and is washed away into rivers.
Increased Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Trees help to mitigate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas
emissions, but they become carbon sources once they’re cut, burned, or otherwise removed. It’s
estimated that deforestation is responsible for around 20% of greenhouse gas emissions and 1.5 billion
tons of carbon is released every year by tropical deforestation.
How You Can Help
Educate Others. Many are completely unaware of this global problem we’re facing. By educating your
friends, family, and community to be discipline and to know what are the causes and effects of
deforestation, so that they will be aware to the impact.
Reduce Paper Consumption. Opt for recycled paper products, including printing paper, notebooks,
napkins, toilet paper, etc. Simple habits to try are printing/writing on both sides of the paper, using less
toilet paper, avoiding paper plates and napkins.
Forest-Friendly Policies. Purchase from companies who are committed to reducing deforestation.
Purchase from Sustainable Companies. Loreal, Asian Pulp and Paper, Unilever, Hershey, Disney, Wilmar
International are deforestation-free.
Reduce Consumption. Palm oil is in absolutely everything but a quick peek at the ingredients is a simple
habit to get into. Soybeans are another deforestation hotspot but try finding ways to reduce
consumption, avoiding it completely, or opting for organic, local (if possible) soy products.
As a STUDENT
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. Plant a tree. Go paperless. Recycle and buy
recycled products.
 Members:

JHONSENN RUSSEL E. RUDIO

JOSHUA MADAMECILA
KRISTEL CALANZA
CATHLEEN JEL DEITA