[INFORMATIVE] Deforestation and how it will impact our future generation

Deforestation and how it will impact our future generation.

Cora Stogner

Deforestation is the big talk around the world of sustainability and environmentalism. It's a worldwide problem with 2.4 million acres of forest lost annually due to our human population. So, the main question is, how will this action impact us and our future generations, and what actions can we take now to stop it?

Deforestation has been a practice performed for thousands of years, killing many trees, ecosystems, and environments along the way. Listed below are some of the consequences of this problem.

Deforestation Consequences:

• Excess CO2
• Loss of Biodiversity
• Global Warming
• Destabilization of soil

Excess CO2:
Trees store CO2 in their roots, trunks, branches, and leaves, as well as in the soil, which regulates the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Cutting down these trees re-releases these gasses back into the air. Burning and removing trees stops this intake, which accelerates the effect of global warming (which is another problem in itself). Some other consequences of excess CO2 include drought, wildfires, heavy precipitation, and tropical storm activity.

Loss of Biodiversity:
Another problem deforestation poses is the loss of biodiversity. Biodiversity is crucial because it supports healthy ecosystems. If you continue to chip away at the level of biodiversity, from a high biodiversity to a low, connections will break, and the entire ecosystem will fall apart. Taking away major forests is the main puzzle piece for these ecosystems as it serves as shelter, food, and protection for many organisms. Biodiversity is not just about the wealth of nature but also the health of nature. Loss of biodiversity undermines the ability to function effectively and efficiently, which weakens nature's ability to support a healthy environment.

Global Warming:
Global warming is a huge problem in our world today. In addition to the excess CO2, this is the main contributor to our global warming problem. Global warming causes hotter temperatures, more severe storms, increased drought, rising oceans, loss of species, and much more. Below is a graph made by Statista, which shows the tropical tree loss and how the carbon emissions line up with the biggest countries and areas in the world.

Destabilization of Soil:
The last main problem that comes from deforestation is the destabilization of soil. The removal of native trees impacts soil biodiversity and the capacity to support ecosystem services. Soil biodiversity was most negatively affected when native forests were converted to cropland and in warmer, wetter ecosystems.

In these cases, what are a few ways we can fix the major problem of deforestation to save our future generations?

Solutions:

• Be mindful.
• Donate to organizations that plant trees.
• Reforestation.
• Afforestation.

Be mindful:
Being mindful of the products we consume can be very important when it comes to sustainability. For example, reducing your paper goods intake. If we reduce our paper goods intake, it can lead to fewer trees required to be cut down, which can, well, reduce deforestation. These products are the main reason why deforestation even exists. Some simple swaps, such as using reusable grocery bags and bamboo products, are very useful and a healthy swap for the Earth.

Donate to plant trees:
Donating to plant trees is a great way to bring hope to ecosystems. One dollar plants one tree, which would be the shining light for a failing ecosystem. Donating big or small brings hope to the world, hope that our ecosystems can be restored with the greenery stripped away from them. Some websites that will donate to have trees planted are:

• onetreeplanted.org
• nationalforests.org
• one-more-tree.org
• plantwithpurpose.org

Reforestation:
Reforestation in your local community is a great way to help restore lost trees and forests due to deforestation. It promotes biodiversity, improves soil health, mental health, exercise, nutrition, and educational outcomes that are destroyed by deforestation. Some examples of how to help are:

• Plant native trees in your yard or community.
• Join a local tree planting initiative in your community and support reforestation initiatives.
• Advocate for local policies that prioritize green spaces and urban forestry.

The impacts of replanting these trees are great, so if there's a local organization organizing a tree planting event, you should go. The impacts of planting a garden - including trees - are cleaner air, reduced flooding threats, and even saving money.

Afforestation:
Afforestation is the process of introducing trees and tree seedlings to an area that has not previously been forested. Typically, afforestation is used to restore lost areas in other parts of the world to reverse the damage that has been done. While a single person cannot forest a part of the world alone, a large group of people - or an organization - can. The effects of afforestation have been found to stop the effects of climate change by reducing atmospheric carbon. When trees are cut down, they release all of the carbon that has been stored previously, preventing a net positive effect on the world.

Conclusion:
With all of this said, deforestation is destroying our world. We are in the middle of a crisis that is being overlooked by many. Without our help, our future generations are in danger, as well as the world. Making sustainable choices, donating, or even being aware that this problem exists could save our future children, grandchildren, and so forth. Without our help, our world is in grave, immense danger.


WORKS CITED:
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Armstrong, Martin. “Infographic: The Huge Carbon Footprint of Tropical Deforestation.” Statista Infographics, 2 Nov. 2021, www.statista.com/chart/25029/co2e-of-tropical-deforestation-compared-to-countries/.Qu, Xinjing, et al. “Deforestation Impacts Soil Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Worldwide.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, vol. 121, no. 13, 11 Mar. 2024, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2318475121. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.