The Effects of Deforestation and How You Can Make a Difference
The entirety of our planet relies on the wellbeing of our environment and the organisms that naturally support it. Our forest land is one of the main contributors to our ecosystem, and is what helps maintain the levels of both oxygen and carbon dioxide in the air. Additionally, approximately 80% of land species live in forests, giving them the home and habitat they need to survive. These reasons and many more prove the importance of our forests, and why the deforestation rates we see today are alarming and must be addressed.
What is Deforestation?
Deforestation is one of the main contributors to the issues our environment faces today. Currently, forests cover around 31% of our Earth’s surface. Annually, this percentage is affected with the continuing loss of 18.7 million acres of forest land. In Brazil, the Amazon Rainforest experiences a majority of our planet’s deforestation, with an overwhelming loss of around 17% of their total forest.
The two major contributors to deforestation are the increasing need for agriculture and fires. As the population of the world continues to grow, so does the demand for agricultural goods and services. This increasing demand for various foods and products results in the need for more land. Once a plot of land is used to produce these goods and services, that land is stripped of its natural minerals and nutrients needed for new growth and is therefore considered useless. Because of this, new land must be acquired, and the deforestation cycle continues. Fires and logging are both equally seen as contributors to deforestation. Again, this is needed to supplement the ever-growing population and its demands.
The Effects of Deforestation
Forests are the homes to delicate and various ecosystems. One of the commonly known effects of deforestation is the increase in carbon emissions. When trees are cut down or burned, carbon dioxide is released. This rise in carbon levels is one of the main issues that contributes to the climate change our world currently faces.
Along with rising carbon emissions, the loss of biodiversity is another notable effect of deforestation. When trees in forests are cut down, the various species inhabiting these forests no longer have a place to live. Typically, these forested areas are the only climate certain species are able to survive in. This results in a rise in extinction rates, and biodiversity faces major losses.
How You Can Help Lower Deforestation Rates
There are many ways in which our community as a whole can step up to decrease deforestation rates. Something as simple as requesting an emailed receipt instead of paper or bringing reusable bags when out shopping can make a huge difference. Encouraging others around you to make the same changes will result in a noticeable shift that benefits both the planet and its people. Approximately 8,333.3 sheets of paper are produced from one tree, therefore any contribution, no matter how small, can help decrease our planet’s deforestation rates.
Otter Waiver was founded with the environment in mind and is here to help decrease deforestation rates. With a vow of “One Tree Saved One Tree Planted” Otter Waiver will plant one tree for every tree saved by using their digital waivers. To learn more about Otter Waiver and their partnership with One Tree Planted, visit otterwaiver.com or search @otterwaiver on all social media platforms.
