Wilson

Reforestation

written by Reid Wilson

In building an abundant and verdant future, there is a job for everyone. Good luck. May the winds be with us.

-Saul Griffith, Rewiring America

Deforestation accounts for 2.2% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions1. Most of the time, when analyzing greenhouse gas emissions and quantities, one is inclined to consider things like energy production, where through a process of combustion CO2 is released into the atmosphere. When we look at forests, however, we have to consider that they act as the lungs of Earth, taking in CO2 and emitting O2. Some groups estimate deforestation could be responsible for 1015% of net worldwide CO2 emissions (with deforestation acting as a negative variable)1. Forests are fantastic at reducing humankind’s carbon footprint, and humans are constantly tearing them apart for farmland, lumber, fuel, or to use in paper goods.

If forests cover more than 30% of the Earth’s land surface (WWF)1, then why is cutting some trees down such a big deal? Every tree makes a massive difference in the global ecosystem (called the biosphere) by actively photosynthesizing a large amount of CO2 into sugar and O2. Forests are also some of the most biodiverse areas on the planet. Eighty Percent of the Earth’s land animals and plants are housed in forest ecosystems1. To some, it seems as though slightly reduced habitat area should not largely affect these organisms, but in reality each organism plays a vital role in maintaining a homeostatic environment, and any change to this balance could completely collapse a historically successful ecosystem.

The majority of time, deforestation occurs not for the organic goods themselves, but the rich soil beneath them. Deforestation mostly occurs to free up space for livestock and cropland. Agriculture accounts for roughly 80% of global deforestation1. This massive industry relies on the death of ecosystems at a rapid rate to support the demand they face every day. There is also a large amount of illegal deforestation, mostly targeting palm oil, wood, coffee, avocados and coca (which is synthesized into cocaine). These practices are unregulated and of indeterminable quantity. At first glance, forest harvest seems difficult to live without, but there are other factors to the forest that grant our global economy some benefit, and would make life without deforestation more practical.

54.4 Million people have jobs related to forests (including those working in the forest sector, numbering 13.4 million)2. With a 5000-13000 square yard area of forest lost every second due to deforestation, these jobs are becoming increasingly volatile, and people living off the land in places like Brazil facing massive deforestation are finding it more difficult to gather resources every day. The University of Maryland found that in 2017, 61,000 square miles of forest were lost2. That is about the size of Rhode Island, Delaware, Connecticut, Hawaii, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maryland combined3. A small amount of harvest is sustainable as long as it is replaced afterwards, but the current rate of depletion makes a complete natural return almost impossible, and replanting will not bring back the former strength of an ecosystem within a sustainable timespan unless each tree cut down is replaced.

Frances Seymour, an associate of the World Resources Institute describes our global climate change response as “trying to put out a house fire with a teaspoon”2. So what can be done? Each person can do their best to eat less meat, consume fewer goods, and watch your product use (including, but not limited to, palm oil and fossil fuels)1. Individuals can also make a massive difference through educating others in environmental conservation and remediation, attending protests or signing petitions, and voting for politicians who care about environmental issues. In the end, it only takes one activist or Earth Ally to create change. Organizations planting trees (such as Youtube’s “Team Trees”), protesting certain goods, and encouraging ordinary people to live with a smaller carbon footprint have the power to slow climate change and, eventually, turn it around. All in all, everyone has the power to make a difference. Plant a tree. Teach others about the good that they have the power to do. Make change a reality.

Team, You Matter.

“What Is Deforestation? Definition, Causes, Effects and Solutions to Stop It. ” Youmatter, YouMatter, 13 May 2020, https://youmatter.world/en/definition/definitionswhat-is-definition-deforestation-causes-effects/

Derouin, Sarah.

“Deforestation: Facts, Causes & Effects | Live Science. ” Livescience.Com, Live Science, 6 Nov. 2019, https://www.livescience.com/27692deforestation.html.

Data, Key. “List of US States by Size.

” List of US States By Size, In Square Miles, 2021, https://state.1keydata.com/states-by-size.php