DEFORESTATION
Once, over 3 trillion trees have called Earth their homes. But ever since humans evolved and decided to call Earth their home too, the number of trees has decreased by almost 50%. That's right. 46% of trees have lost their lives since human civilization began. But who would ever want to destroy our precious trees, you would ask? Trees provide us oxygen, food, products and are essential to life not only for us, but animals too. Well, the answer is simple. We are the reason for the loss of these trees. Human activity is held responsible for the disappearance of trees, mainly deforestation. An estimate of 15 billion trees is lost each year worldwide. Only 30% of the world’s land area is covered in forests. If this current rate of deforestation continues, the world’s rainforests could completely disappear in 100 years.
The main reason for deforestation is agriculture. Farmers cut down forests to clear land for livestock to graze and to plant factories and roads. As the world’s population continues to grow, land is also cleared for housing and apartments. As well, trees are cut to provide paper and wood products for the world. But deforestation is not always intentional. Wild fires are caused by humans but are accidental.
We need to stop deforestation because it has many effects on the environment. First of all, forests provide habitat for 70% of the world’s animals and plants. If their habitats are lost, it could lead to species extinction. It’s also a problem to the people who rely on the animals and plants in the forests for food and medicine. Deforestation also causes climate change. Without the trees’ protection from the sun, the soils in the ground will quickly dry out. Without trees, forests could turn into deserts. Trees are also important to the water cycle. They absorb rain fall and help return water vapor back into the atmosphere. Trees lessen water pollution by stopping polluted runoff.
I chose this article because deforestation is a serious subject. I can’t believe that the tree population was halved ever since human civilization started. The reason why so many trees are disappearing is because of us. We could plant more trees but it takes a long time for them to grow. The quickest way to prevent deforestation is to simply stop cutting down trees.
Source 1:http://www.livescience.com/52070-global-tree-census-human-impacts.html
Article by Elizabeth Howell on September 2, 2015
Source 2:http://www.livescience.com/27692-deforestation.html
Article by Alina Bradford on March 4,2015
The main reason for deforestation is agriculture. Farmers cut down forests to clear land for livestock to graze and to plant factories and roads. As the world’s population continues to grow, land is also cleared for housing and apartments. As well, trees are cut to provide paper and wood products for the world. But deforestation is not always intentional. Wild fires are caused by humans but are accidental.
We need to stop deforestation because it has many effects on the environment. First of all, forests provide habitat for 70% of the world’s animals and plants. If their habitats are lost, it could lead to species extinction. It’s also a problem to the people who rely on the animals and plants in the forests for food and medicine. Deforestation also causes climate change. Without the trees’ protection from the sun, the soils in the ground will quickly dry out. Without trees, forests could turn into deserts. Trees are also important to the water cycle. They absorb rain fall and help return water vapor back into the atmosphere. Trees lessen water pollution by stopping polluted runoff.
I chose this article because deforestation is a serious subject. I can’t believe that the tree population was halved ever since human civilization started. The reason why so many trees are disappearing is because of us. We could plant more trees but it takes a long time for them to grow. The quickest way to prevent deforestation is to simply stop cutting down trees.
Source 1:http://www.livescience.com/52070-global-tree-census-human-impacts.html
Article by Elizabeth Howell on September 2, 2015
Source 2:http://www.livescience.com/27692-deforestation.html
Article by Alina Bradford on March 4,2015