DEFORESTATION - UNIT 4

One of the most prevalent issues in our world today is the issue of deforestation. Deforestation can be described as “the practice of clearing the natural forests for agriculture, logging, etc.”

Rainforests are home to countless species of animals, many of which are endangered. By tearing down trees in enormous quantities, humans are destroying the homes of every species that may live there. When taking into consideration that some of the species relying on the forest are endangered, one must realize that engaging in deforestation will likely result in the extinction of that particular species. Deforestation has already eliminated many species from our planet. 

In addition to the harm deforestation inflicts on animals, deforestation is also harmful to society. Many natives, especially in South America, rely tremendously on the rainforest. These tribes live in the forests, and gather all of their resources from them as well. The lives of these natives are turned upside down when they have no choice but to abandon their home, because the rainforest is being destroyed whether they like it or not . Tribes are forced to leave everything they know, and move to more inhabited areas that they are extremely unused to.

Another harmful side effect of deforestation is the effect it has on the earth’s atmosphere. Deforestation is said to be directly related to the issue of global warming. By cutting down the rainforests, the amount of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere increases. Trees and plants take in hazardous gasses such as carbon dioxide, and convert them into oxygen that we as humans rely on. While cutting down rainforests, we are depriving ourselves of sources of oxygen to breathe, and at the same time, increasing the amount of harmful gasses in the air .

Although I do realize that deforestation provides job opportunities for people in areas with rainforests, and that it provides society with a great deal of wood used for building, paper, and other products, is it really worth the price paid? And if deforestation continues at this rate, it is estimated that all rainforests will be eliminated within a century (Climate Change: What We Do). Over 50 percent of the discovered plant and animal species live in tropical rainforests, and by eliminating the trees, we eliminate these animals. Rainforest deforestation has far more cons than pros, and needs more attention. When considering how this affects plants, animals, the atmosphere, and society, it is evident that deforestation is not worth the price paid.