The Real Effect of Deforestation

Deforestation is a commonly brought up issue, but what are the real implications of our actions?

Aerial view of forest

Trees are a crucial resource for city growth, human settlement, and product manufacturing. We would not have the homes that we live in if not for the sturdy and reliable nature of pine, spruce, or fir. Not only houses, but products such as rubber, perfumes, instruments, and nail polish are all made from the various components of trees. In being such an important asset, they are cut down for use at rapid and alarming rates. 10 million hectares of forest are lost every year, and 420 million hectares have been lost since 1990. The deforestation occuring around the world has caused devastating effects on thousands of species as well as our own atmosphere. Roughly 20% of greenhouse gas emissions originate from the machinery used when cutting down trees; that's 4.8 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide being emitted each year! Forests being cut down rapidly leaves many species without homes, and such an event leads to mass dying in numerous populations. Many say that we are currently undergoing a 6th mass extinction, with rates being 1,000 times higher than natural! The Formosan clouded leopard, the Spix's macaw, and the Alagoas Curassow have all disappeared from the wild due to deforestation. Additionally, Orangutans, Sumatran rhinos, and African forest elephants are at high risk of extinction. So what can you do to help? Advocating for conservation policies in your state, planting trees locally, and purchasing digital books or using online textbooks and resources to reduce excess paper consumption are all strong initiatives you can take to do your part. Follow along with The Conscious Planet's blogs to learn more about practicing easy sustainability!