It is not hidden among us that our natural rainforests all over the world are in to destruction on an alarming rate. Studies showed that if this condition continues up to hundred years from now, there is a great possibility that we will no longer see any natural rainforest existing. Probably that time we have to change all the maps and globes we have, deleting all green parts of the world that are once covered with rainforests.
In America, only just a three percent of their rainforests remain. Statistics showed that about thirty acres of trees are being cut down in just a single minute. Just imagine how miserable the conditions of rainforests are. And, to think that half of animal species in the world live in rainforests, the continual destruction of their habitats is causing them to be critically endangered.
What accounts to forest degradation?
Probably the first suspect that came to your mind is illegal logging—or the unauthorized cutting down of trees either to be used as a raw material or just to clear the area to be transformed into other purposes. We might also exempt ourselves from being held responsible for deforestation, but one hurting truth is that the primary reason for cutting trees is for human consumption and money matters. To sum it up, we humans, together with our necessities account for great deforestation. We need livelihood to survive, that’s why we clear off rainforests to give way for our agriculture business. We need houses, furniture, paper, gum and palm oil—all these products require cut trees as a raw material.
So what are the impacts of deforestation?
This topic might sound very familiar, but see how it will affect you. Let’s look at the major impacts of deforestation to our present lives:
Climate. Rainforests are considered to be carbon sinks; they are responsible for absorbing carbon into the air that accounts greatly to climate. If more and more trees will be thrown down, it was estimated that by the year 2100, about 87-130 billion tons of carbon will be released into our atmosphere.
Natural Disasters. Trees are held greatly responsible for the balance in our ecosystem. They are the ones to absorb rainwater and turn it back to the atmosphere through evaporation. When trees continue to be cut down, we are into great danger when it rains. There are no more roots to hold the soil in place and absorb impact from rushing waters.
Biodiversity. The most diverse and special species of animals and plants are contained in tropical rainforests. When these are completely gone, what will remain are just the common plants and animals we see in around. What’s more threatening is that, the chance to discover more unnamed species is gone.
Image credits: http://www.oneworldeducation.org/
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