The Global Warming and Deforestation

Global warming has serious consequences to the life of earth. The past few years has witnessed a rise in the levels of the seas and increase in the overall temperature of the planet. One of the main causes of this serious threat can be attributed to deforestation. Mankind has been cutting trees indiscriminately for his own use.

Tremendous urbanization has reduced the overall forest coverage in the world. We all know that how much trees are necessary for maintaining the ecological balance of the earth. Trees help in extracting water from the soil, and thereby releasing this moisture into the air. Indiscriminate felling of trees results in the disturbances of water cycle resulting in a drier atmosphere. Deforestation increases not just the amount of carbon dioxide in the air, but also other greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide and methane lock the atmospheric heat and ultimately cause an increase in the atmospheric temperature.

Deforestation not only causes global warming, but it also has serious implications on the Earth's bio-diversity. Many of the species in the earth are dependent on plants and trees for food. Cutting of trees will remove their source of food gradually and subsequently leading towards extinction of variety of species living in earth.

Deforestation is seen as the prime concern for environmentalists and they have suggested that unless quick measures are not taken to arrest this problem, it would further lead to devastating effects on Earth.

We often complain about extreme weather conditions, or climate change. However, instead of cribbing, we must ensure that deforestation is stopped and plantation is given due importance. This will help to reverse some of the adverse effects of deforestation and also control the alarming effects of global warming.

About Author:
Kum Martin is an online leading expert in environmental and energy conservation. He also offers top quality articles like:
Global Warming Definition, Major Greenhouse Gases

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Why Rainforest Deforestation Must Stop

Rainforest deforestation is as old as civilization. Whenever cities have needed more fuel and more space they just go and chop down a piece of forest. This has had serious consequences in the past. The Middle East and Sahara desert were once heavily forested areas. They became desert at the hand of man. However until recently deforestation only had local impacts, it was never a global issue.

Civilization has expanded to the point now where there is no more space on this planet left to grow into. There are no new continents to go and discover. Our penchant for growth means we are zeroing in on the last remaining rainforests for timber and space for more farmland.

This is a serious problem for the future of the earth's biosphere and the integrity of the ecosystems that dwell in it. If we keep destroying our last remaining rainforests the water cycle will be disrupted, farmland will become unproductive and the land will become an eroded desert.

The Role Of The Rainforest

Rainforests act as a water filter. They prevent the groundwater from becoming too salty by keeping the salts deep in the earth. When the rainforest in razed the salts rise to the surface. This makes water undrinkable and prevents crops from growing in fields.

Many timber companies that cut down old growth forests justify their actions be claiming that replanting new trees mitigates the damage. But reseeded saplings cannot replace a rainforest. They cannot perform the same functions. They have less leaf surface area than rainforest trees and because they lack diversity they are extremely vulnerable to infection.

A Deep Ecological Attitude Towards Rainforests

Conventional ecological thinking would argue that we must save the rainforests because they are crucial to human survival. That is true. But deep ecological thinking would go further to say that these are not our forests in the first place.

Humans do not own the world or own the forests. It is not our prerogative to decide what their fate is. Rainforests are home to millions of plant and animal species. They deserve the right to flourish and nothing gives us the right to take that away from them.

Rainforest deforestation has to stop for the good of the biosphere and so humans can stop destroying creation and take their place as a functional member of the community of life.

About The Author: Thomas is a writer whose passion is Deep Ecology. This is a world-view that sees a value in nature regardless of its usefulness to humans. It is partly about saving the world but primarily about creating a better place for humans to live. Living as part of the community of life and not apart from it is a much richer and more satisfying way of life. But in order to live as part of the community we have to stop destroying the rest of life through rainforest deforestation and other means. We have to let the rest of life flourish.

For more free articles, videos, books and interviews visit Deep Ecology Hub.

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Deforestation Solutions And It's Problems

The responsibility of safeguarding our magnificent earth lies in the hands of its populace. Needless to say, we as humans are accountable for preserving our planet. Our actions do major impacts on the natural world; our choices can either revive our Earth or totally annihilate it. The many forested lands are being shattered all over the world, and we must make moves to further pursue the deforestation solutions.

Deforestation is in fact an inescapable problem; it should therefore be addressed to and not put aside. Solutions are needed for this kind of problem if we want to stay away from its consequences. Although smaller forests are but a speck of soil in contrast to the whole land mass of the globe, there is a likelihood that the entire world might one day end up like a wasted place if deforestation persists without fervent actions taken against it.

The False Solutions At Hand

In the past, various solutions have been taken account to for further experiments against what could bring deforestation down. However, some of the solutions failed and some progressed, and here is the list of what should not be considered as a problem solving equation for one of the world's biggest threats: Sustainable Commercial Logging Options, Tropical Forestry Action Plan, Limits of Reserve Strategies, and International Biodiversity Program.

The Sustainable Commercial Logging Options has been considered negligible by most of our environmentalists. Its key concept of permitting logging at a minimal rate resulted to more deforestation events all over the world. People did not seem to listen or to participate in such program since aggressive prohibition of logging was not made.

Second, the TFAP plan which was based on a concept that deforestation problems were due to poverty did not work out as well. Timber harvest was assumed by TFAP to have lifted poverty problems, which only drove all the more to the evils of deforestation.

Strict protective measures to preserve earth through the third plan are only a second and subsidiary form of healing. Instead of dealing directly with the problem, it tends to sidetrack by supporting only one of its branches. What should be done is to have the greatest protection available for our depleted rainforests. In this way, direct controlling of the problem is needed.

The fourth and the last failed plan is International Biodiversity Program which only addresses to the underlying causes of deforestation and not the direct ones. Just like TFAP, such plans also came to end without showing good results.

The Sensible Solutions Toward Deforestation Eradication

Like the false solutions, the world also came up with realistic problem solving ideas which would help in the betterment of the deforestation problems. Some of which include: recognizing the presence of the indigenous people as the original inhabitants of all rainforests over the Earth.

Non-timber values which explain to people that other crops or products can be means of lumber substitute, the impact of debt burden to a country and how the nation can ask for help from the world bank; and lastly, putting an end to over consumption of forest made products.

Whichever deforestation solutions we use, the only thing that actually matters is how the humans react to it. If they give much time and effort for the world's conservation, then the possibilities of reaching that goal would definitely be high.

However, as human concern declines, the rate of deforestation correspondingly grows higher.

Rainforest Deforestation and Its Impact

As the world population reaches a crescendo, the need for wood in various forms has only increased. Unfortunately, the naturally occurring wood available in rainforests across the world is becoming a victim of our needs. As the world population reaches a crescendo, the deforestation of naturally occurring woodlands are falling prey to human greed. But more than ever before, rainforest deforestation is impacting world climate and becoming a huge concern for the future of the earth. Let's find out what deforestation is, why it occurs, and how it impacts the global climate.

What is deforestation?

When forests that have been created naturally are cut down or burnt by humans in order to use the wood for various purposes, the process is known as deforestation. Sometimes, this process occurs naturally as well. However, most of the times, this is the handiwork of man. Some of the biggest reserves of wood are the Amazon Rainforests in Brazil, the Congo Basin Forests in Africa, and the Indonesian Rainforest in South East Asia. Deforestation can even be caused by soil erosion or naturally occurring jungle fires.

Why does deforestation happen?

There are many reasons for rainforest deforestation. Some of the most common and well-known reasons for this include:

- Fuel: trees or the charcoal derived from them is used as fuel. Oftentimes, charcoal is sold in the market as an alternate means of fuel in many countries. Tree branches are also cut, dried, and used as fuel for cooking etc.

- Land use: For many years, human beings have been cutting down trees in order to clear land so that they can use it as pastures for their livestock. As the human population increases, so does the need to feed livestock. Unfortunately, more and more trees are cut to make way for greener pastures for feeding cows, goats, sheep etc.

- Settlements: As habitable land becomes dearer and dearer, people need cheaper land options for settling down. Rainforests present a wonderful opportunity and therefore, people cut down trees to make way for settlements. These trees are removed without proper care and complete apathy for reforestation.

How deforestation impacts global environment?

As the green cover gets destroyed, the fragile ecosystems get destroyed or become imbalanced. Rainforest deforestation also leads to damaged habitats, loss of biodiversity, imbalance in the microenvironment and aridity. Regions that are deforested get affected by soil erosion and soon than later turn in wastelands. It becomes very difficult for this land to be restored back to its former self. Over the years, these wastelands can even become deserts.

Deforestation also leads to extinction of rare trees, animals, insects, flowers and other naturally occurring things. An ongoing issue in many countries, deforestation must be stopped in order to combat their devastating effects on the global climatic conditions.

While there are many other reasons besides population growth for rainforest deforestation, we must remember that deforestation plays a significant role in shaping the global geography and climate and for this reason alone it must be curbed and combated.

Kelly Hunter owns and operates http://www.home-weather-station.org and writes about Home Weather Stations devices.

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A Deforestation Story

Towards the end of September a community leader from a Shuar village in the province of Morona Santiago came into our offices in Quito looking for help with a problem faced by his community. This story is typical of the sorts of events that are taking place all over Ecuador. It highlights the disadvantages faced by indigenous peoples as they struggle to come to terms with the forces of globalization and the new economic system that it imposes upon them, and demonstrates the impunity with which outside forces can destroy their environment and threaten their culture.

A stranger appeared in their village one day offering to sell them a second-hand generator for $2000 to provide light for their village. The community was keen to purchase the generator, but only had $800 in cash to offer. The stranger said that would do, and that he would take the rest in trees that he and his crew would fell and extract.

Over the next months the man moved in with an expanding crew of loggers and began extracting the biggest and the best specimens from the forests to which the community holds legal title. The villagers have become increasingly distressed to see their forests being destroyed but are powerless to stop the illegal loggers from felling and extracting their trees. The police have shown little serious interest in helping the indigenous population probably receiving regular bribes from the loggers to look the other way.

Now the villagers are asking themselves how they will live once all the trees are gone, and came to us For help in trying to do something before the worst happens.

Ecuador is losing its forests at the rate of nearly 400 hectares per day (550 soccer pitches every day), through illegal logging that is carelessly done and benefits a relatively few dishonest people. Aside from the human catastrophes that result, like the story above, the environmental and ecological impacts are equally grave. These forests are home to　many unique species of flaura and fauna. Once they have been cut down these species lose their ecological niches and die out.

To find out more about what Ecotrackers is doing to end illegal logging　in Ecuador, and to learn about the various ways that you can help, please click on our home page =>[http://www.ecotrackers.com]

Martijn van Vreeden is currently living and working in Ecuador with Moving Ecuador. He has been working to preserve the biological and cultural diversity of Ecuador. To learn more about his work, please visit the Moving Ecuador website at: http://www.movingecuador.com

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Deforestation Pros And Cons

Humans have done a great damage to Earth. Forests have vanished, biological flora has been cleared to make way for rural lands, towns and metropolitan areas; and industrialization has polluted seas, rivers and the atmosphere.

Governments and conservationists alike have searched for ways to trim down the damage that humans have caused. Although turning back time would never be possible, alternative means to fix the troubles that the humans brought about can be very promising. Knowing the pros and cons of deforestation could give us the proper values to help nurture the earth rather than deplete it of its natural resources.

Could there really be benefits in deforestation? Well, this is one tricky thing to answer. Enumerating its cons is a whole lot simpler though; but to be fair, we will try to know the facts about deforestation, the advantages that the earth and humans can benefit from it, and the many disadvantages that we already know of.

Is There A Truth To Pros In Deforestation?

Although deforestation is not totally good, it has some promising advantages for the people. Its direct purposes have effects which significantly contribute to the atmosphere and to the environment. For example, the cutting of trees lets the carbon dioxide stay on them rather than emit it in the air such that in the case of dying and rotten tress.

Also, much of the vast part of the forest is left unused which can be turned to agricultural sites instead. This way, it will help feed millions of starving people. Some parts of the forest can also be turned into great infrastructures which will give rise to a booming economy, thus helping the people as well. Grazing animals are also one way that deforestation becomes useful. Truly, the advantages could be quite innumerable if summed up. However, weighing the good and harm that deforestation brings should always be considered.

The Countless Flaws Of Deforestation

If the advantages of deforestation are innumerable, its disadvantages come in a million ways. Deforestation introduces numerous community and environmental harms. The abrupt and irreversible consequences of worldwide deforestation are guaranteed to jeopardize the existence of Earth. The domino effect of deforestation includes: extinction of the biodiversity; the annihilation of the indigenous people (local inhabitants of the area); and a global change in climate. One wrong move can lead us all to an empty and meaningless world.

The consequence of deforestation is claimed to be a domino effect because one step to destroying nature will cause the deaths or extinction of many more species. After the death of animal and plant life is the partial loss of human life through poverty and pollution. If things pursue this way, human extinction could also be inevitable. The years are counting, and each day of that year trees are being felled and lands are being abolished of the natural wonders. If the world used to be a better and cleaner place to live in, then we can definitely start to relive those days now.

The only known way to halt this is to put a stop to every cause of deforestation. Regardless of the pros and cons of deforestation, we must only think of one thing, and that is reviving nature while it is still possible to be saved. While there is only an ample amount of time left, we would need it to rebuild nature and stop its total destruction.

Although it couldn't happen in just a click of time, the possibilities are way higher if all races participate in giving back life to the damaged forests. The only way to repay nature is by being kind to it.

Some Causes of Deforestation

Imagine what the world would be like in the coming years if the current rate of deforestation runs at 15 hectares annually? In a matter of 30 years, all the untouched areas of Earth can turn into a barren wasteland. In just a snap, all could possibly lead to the deaths of both species and humans alike. Thus, people should take action in order to bring deforestation to a stop.

All the causes of deforestation have high probabilities of getting solved. It only takes patience and discipline to finally make the problem come to an end. Although the road to total closure of deforestation is quite twisted and rough, there would certainly be ways to deal with it if all people in the world are willing to take part in solving the problem.

The Top Five Causes of Deforestation

Every part of the world has varying causes of deforestation; but the top five causes known to afflict all earth are: human made calamities, illegal logging, industrialization, conversion of forests to agricultural landmarks, and oil exploitation. All seem to be stoppable, but it is still a question why the roots of deforestation could never be cut.

Human made calamities such as fire outbreaks are very common sources of forest depletion. Easily but remarkably, the forests can become denuded in no time through huge flames which can either be accidentally done or purposefully started. Some farmers wipe off an entire crop through fire and replant again after a few days. Little do they know that these forest fires emit much carbon dioxide which is very toxic to the atmosphere. Perhaps more education can help them understand why such activities are not permitted.

Illegal logging is also another way that leads to the destruction of plant life. Since there is a need for woods to be used in building houses or in manufacturing furniture, the demand for more trees to be felled is also increased.

Urbanization occurs when vast forest areas are turned into cities. Although this helps the economy grow, we should be reminded of the degree of destruction it can bring. No matter how much we will be needing lands for bigger buildings, the necessity of having a cleaner earth should be given greater attention and concern first.

Due to the population increase, the demand of food supply is also amplified. Thus, the call for establishing wider agricultural areas came to rise. However, with this prospect in mind, forest areas have been compromised and have given in to the birth of newer and heavier obligations such that of feeding the entire population.

Lastly, projects of oil exploitation disturb our untouched resources. The human consumption of oil has grown ever since and thus resulted to the need for massive supply of oil. The search for oil has truly distorted the image of our unscathed land territories.

As you can see, all the causes of deforestation are merely for human consumption. If there is a decrease in demand for such products, there'll probably be a reduction in forest eradication too.

Can The Origins Of Deforestation Be Stopped?

Can deforestation be stopped? Well, the answer to this relies on the humans alone. No one but us can provide a response to this query. Alongside our answers are factors which can affect the rate of deforestation. Some of these factors are: the people involved in the green movement, the number of biological groups around the globe, and the participation of the government and its officials.

However, the outcomes primarily rely on your own responses and actions. You can always contribute to the green movement if you’re determined enough to solve the problems of deforestation. The world needs you and your contributions to finally put an end to this problem.

Amazon Rainforest and It's Deforestation

The main and most important reason why tropical rainforests need to be preserved is the fact that they're enabling life on Earth. Not only are they absorbing carbon dioxide and creating oxygen in the process, they're also regulating temperature and are producing important nutrients like nitrogen and phosphor and are protecting watersheds from erosion of salt as well. Tropical rainforests can be also quite helpful on field of pharmacology and new medication researching because between thousands of different plants that have their habitat here and perhaps they're even hiding potential cure for menaces of the modern world like cancer and AIDS.

But what about their destruction, can this process be stopped? Between 1970 and now, Brazil lost more than 600,000 sq km (232 000 sq miles) of Amazon rainforest which is very disturbing information. Through this article main reasons for such deforestation will be presented and methods that could mean preservation of Amazon rainforest will be pointed out. First let's point out the main reasons that are causing this high amount of deforestation.

Most important deforestation factor is clearing forest area for cattle pasture and it causes 60-70 % of total deforestation. Since cattle breeding is very profitable business and doesn't require high maintenance expenditures and gives very solid profit, it's very clear why such big percent of Amazon forest is being destroyed because of cattle pasture. Increasing number of cattle needs more area on which they can pasture and because of this reason forests are often being replaced by savannas and other coarse grasses.

Second great cause of deforestation is also connected with agriculture but this time with farms. Since most population in Brazil is still very much oriented on agriculture, large areas of forests are being cleared in order to leave more space to cultivable areas, where especially poor farmers are being stimulated by government politics to settle and work on these areas. Since farmers use fire in this process, whole procedure has its negative effect doubled, because not only forests areas are being destroyed but also large quantities of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are being released in atmosphere having negative impact on whole biosystem and polluting air we breathe.

Large growth of cultivable areas is also connected with advanced production of soybean because Brazilian scientists have discovered new sorts of soybean and soybean is very expensive and very appreciated on world market and Brazil has such rapid growth with soybean production that according to some predictions soon will go even past the USA which at this moment holds first place in soybean production. Although many people would think that logging is main cause for such huge deforestation that's not true because it causes only 2-4 % of total deforestation. Tropical rainforests are presenting large source of expensive wood among which special place has precious ebony and that's the reason why illegal logging is so much expanded and profitable business, namely because of high prices of this wood.

Just for example of that in September 2003, 17 people were arrested under incrimination that they destroyed 10 000 hectares of forest area and this is just small drop in the sea of illegal logging. Last factor that causes deforestation is infrastructure building, especially of roads and dams and it makes about 2-4 % of total deforestation.

Famous example of this politic is building of Trans-Amazonian Highway which had its purpose not only in connection between distant places but also in opening of new areas to farmers and easier exploiting of wooden riches. After this famous project was done, deforestation has gone to a whole new level and this presents a real example how building of infrastructure can cause complete ecological chaos. But can these factors be prevented or could they be at least slowed down until the level that could be more tolerable to environment?

There's still hope but only under this conditions.

First of all, former forest areas should be rehabilitated which is not that difficult process if at least small part of former biosystem is saved. Rehabilitation also needs higher productivity of cultivable areas and intellectual approach to agriculture by using modern methods and by influencing on farmers and their ecological conscience which often brakes down the whole procedure. Number of protected forest areas should also be increased and for that strong and systematic politic is needed.

Laws should be very precise and very strict with huge punishments for its offenders, not only fines but also jail sentences for more severe lawbreaking. But the most important thing is to influence on ecological conscience of all people by trying to present them negative consequences of deforestation that could easily cause catastrophic effect to all life on Earth and result in even more expressed climate changes. Only fast intervention on all fields can have success, because humanity needs to find the right way while it still can. To make harmony between ecology and economy is very difficult task but by no means impossible.

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The Current Trends: Deforestation In India Its Overwhelming

India's rising population expansion has positioned the country in great environmental strains. The swiftly developing populace, along with the move in the direction of urbanization and industrialization, has sited a considerable demand on India's infrastructure and its biological reserves.

Deforestation in India, together with all its other environmental effects, continues to go downhill and is encumbering trade and industry development in all of India. However, its booming and exploding metropolises are the ones causing their presently detrimental problems.

It is a good thing to know that a single country can be able to stop deforestation even in a gradual progress. However, the other tribulations that India is now facing should also be dealt with in a similar manner. They may have erased their deforestation problems, but other troubles concerning the environment came to take its place. With due hope, all the world is watching over India and its capabilities to fully eliminate their problems that cause disturbance of the balance in nature.

A Quick Look Into The History Of Indian Forest Depletion

The turn of the 19th century marked the start of deforestation in India. In the year 1823, the elect governor of India named Thomas Munro believed that the industrialization process could take heights in the world economy. Having assumed in such matter, he opened forestry programs which then truly created a world of promising economy. However, this was also the start of nature's fall in India. The long logging problems of over 4 years covered the entire nation; and its forests, like other jungles in the world, was buffeted by a sudden impact of stress.

It was only through the Act of 1878 that the Indian forests began to be protected by the government. For 50 years, the Indian forested lands truly suffered and at the same time prospered from an economy that is not theirs.

Today, vast environmental projects have been and are being practiced in India. The systems include tree planting, preservation of the non-damaged part of their nature, and penalties for the ones going above the prohibitions set. Incentives were also given to the minorities who learned how to adhere to the government's policies regarding nature safeguarding. Truly, India has one of the most remarkable ways of saving the world from extermination.

Why Deforestation In India Took Place

Unknown to many, the Indian nation accounts for the biggest number of the underprivileged in the entire world, many of whom rely completely or implicitly on green areas for a living. Poverty, as well as the huge and escalating human population, places indefatigable pressure on the forested parts of India. The end result is serious dilapidation of the country’s woodland resources.

The administration has made an effort to slow down losses to its jungles and enlarge tree shelter through a sequence of plans with backing from the World Bank. It has the largest participating funds that direct to the solutions of their deforestation problems.

The effective implementation of India's rules and regulations for the forests brought about a good change in their previously dilapidated jungles. Through the help of the Worldwide Bank and the sectors of environmentalists protecting the Earth, the Indian nation gave way to the possibilities that deforestation problems could really be fixed.

The deforestation in India shows the rest of the world that a switch to ecological friendly decisions can help alleviate the world's present condition. If only the rest of the countries allow such kind of help from the experts, then our deforestation problems could possibly be offset in no time.

Determination and eagerness to participate are two of the most crucial values the world must possess in order to preserve the remaining capabilities of our nature.