Deforestation, in short, refers to the reduction or completely erasing of tree plantations or vegetated cover to allow industrial, agricultural or residential usage. It implies the complete loss of forestry cover to create that vacant land available for commercial, agricultural or residential purposes. This is a problem that has been present for years and many governments have put forward several solutions. In fact, many developed countries have taken several policy decisions regarding deforestation and are looking into concrete solutions.
One solution is to plant trees on a large-scale. A large-scale solution is obviously much more economical over a long period than is doing it yourself, although some believe it is an option worth trying out. The problem, however, is that planting trees in a specific area may not be viable for many years. A second solution is to use forests that have been cut down to plant trees.
This method has many advantages. For one thing, it does not entail replanting trees onto previously cleared areas. Deforestation causes soil erosion and this can easily erode into already marginal areas. Additionally, planting new vegetation will help stabilize any affected areas of deforestation. Furthermore, plantation forestry is usually undertaken on properties that are already located in established fields.
Deforestation can have serious consequences not only for the environment but also for the people living in the areas. The biodiversity of certain areas may be severely affected by deforestation leading to a lack of animal life and increasing poverty in the remaining areas. To give the best chance to save the biodiversity in these areas and give the animals what they need to survive, a great deal of effort should be made in preventing deforestation and establishing measures to mitigate climate change.
Carbon dioxide absorption and climate change are the major problems resulting from deforestation. Carbon dioxide is a leading cause of global warming. Deforestation may lead to a reduction in the amount of clean oxygen in the atmosphere which will exacerbate climate change. The carbon dioxide that is absorbed by the forests and other ecosystems is then stored in the soil and in the air, exacerbating climate change. Forests around the world are therefore at great risk of disappearing if these problems are not arrested soon.
What can we do to save the forests? There are many things that we can do to slow down or prevent deforestation. One of the best solutions is to increase carbon sinks. These sinks are simply areas within the earth’s carbon cycle, where carbon is absorbed or stored for longer periods of time in an attempt to counteract climate change. In order to increase the amount of carbon sinks in the environment, we need to develop more high-efficiency green buildings and vehicles.
We can also save the forests by conserving water. By conserving water, we allow the rivers and lakes to flourish and become green again, allowing the plants and animals to eat less meat. We need to stop draining the lakes and rivers as well. If this happens, there will be less of it available to the plant and an even drought situation could occur that will lead to less grass and crops for livestock. A positive feedback loop will set in whereby the less meat you eat causes less forest loss and even more vegetation to grow. In a worst case scenario, all the plant life on Earth will become one with the plants to eat less meat because there will be nothing for them to eat.
However, saving the forests is only the first step to stopping deforestation. The second and probably the most important solution is to develop sustainable farming methods that do not deplete the natural forests. A good solution to this problem is to turn your back on dairy products. Dairy products and meat are the number one reason why more trees are being cut down. It is a double whammy. You are indirectly destroying the forests and also contributing to climate change by eating meat and drinking milk, however, by making use of alternative dairy products you can actually save the forests.