Deforestation
Deforestation refers to the permanent destruction of forested areas to make land available for alternative uses. The world loses millions of acres of forested lands every year due to deforestation. The tropical rainforests are the most affected in regards to deforestation. In fact, if the current rate of deforestation proceeds, the world might lose its entire tropical rainforest cover in under 100 years, according to National Geographic. According to National Geographic estimates, forests still cover just about 30 percent of the land surface (Santilli et al. 2005). Deforestation alongside forest degradation still remains one of the biggest threats to the survival of world’s forests. Forests serve very critical purposes like providing oxygen and acting as habitats for species of plants and animals. A significant portion of endangered species of plants and animals now reside in the world's forests. Apart from acting as natural habitats for plants and animals, forests also have a lot of other benefits like provision of food, fresh water, shelter and herbal medicine (Santilli et al. 2005). Forests also play a significant role in mitigating climate change and its impacts because they serve as sinks for carbon dioxide that would otherwise be released in the atmosphere and cause climate change. However, forests around the world face the risk of deforestation, which will certainly jeopardize the benefits provided by forests. Though deforestation is attributed to a broad range of factors, the primary cause is agriculture (Santilli et al. 2005). Every year both small and large-scale farmers clear huge tracts of forested land to pave way for agricultural activities. The most common techniques applied in deforestation include clear-cutting and burning of trees. Other causes of deforestation include ranching, urban development, and illegal and unsustainable tree logging for timber and wood fuel. Even though deforestation is mostly caused by human activities, natural factors also play a role in the loss of forests across the world. For instance, a lot of forest cover can be lost in the hands of natural forces like wildfires.
Solution
Agencies and governments are working tirelessly to solve the menace of deforestation. Various solutions have been proposed to deal with the problem. Some of these solutions include;
Green business
This involves reuse and recycling of products. For instance, recycling of waste paper can reduce a whole lot of pressure on the forests. Focusing on recycling of products like papers and encouraging green consumerism implies that there will be reduced dependence on forests resources across the globe.
Eco-forestry
Eco-forestry is an activity that recognizes that use of forests products can be, in most cases, inevitable. It, therefore, promotes sustainable use of forest areas. This includes things like the felling of trees in a manner that is environmentally friendly and cautiously selecting the trees to be cut. Eco-forestry also promotes forest preservation while allowing for controlled timber extraction.
Laws and regulations
Formulating and enforcing laws that relate to forest conservation and preservation can go a long way in reducing the rate of deforestation being experienced.
Reforestation
Reforestation is one of the most successful solutions to deforestation. Reforestation focuses on replanting trees to replace the lost ones. It is not a one-off activity, rather it is a continuous process that requires a lot of input from authorities, institutions and local communities.
Land use planning
Agriculture and urban expansion pose a serious challenge to the existence of forests. Therefore, it has become increasingly necessary to implement land use planning techniques to prevent encroachment of forested areas. This involves setting aside specific areas for activities such as farming and urban development. Setting aside specific areas for human activities will certainly prevent encroachment.
Encouraging community forestry
Through community forestry local communities, authorities, learning institutions and corporation collaborate in starting programs like tree planting and management of local forests.
Reference
Santilli, M., Moutinho, P., Schwartzman, S., Nepstad, D., Curran, L., " Nobre, C. (2005). Tropical deforestation and the Kyoto Protocol. Climatic Change, 71(3), 267-276.
