Deforestation

     In 100 years how will things be different? Will the world finally receive the hover boards Back to the Future promised us? Will families be living like the Jetsons?  Will there be a way of eating as much food as you want without getting fat? That last one would be pretty convenient. However, I know something that will not be around, and that is rain forests. If the deforestation rate does not decrease radically, in 100 years there will be no existing rain forests.  There will no longer be homes for half of the worlds living organisms.
     Now, I understand that people cut down trees to use for paper and fuel wood, but what people do not realize, is that there are other sustainable methods that can be used. Instead of cutting down trees for their pulp that is used in making paper, there is another alternative called the kudzu vine. The kudzu vine was initially introduced to America to help battle soil erosion; however it began to grow uncontrollably. Kudzu vine if left uncontrolled can take over anything near it, including vegetation. It has been proven however that this vine can be used for making paper. This destructive plant that has had a rampant growth can finally be used for good, it can save many forests from being cut down and degraded. As for fuel wood sundried roots such as gourds and squash can be burned instead to prevent the detrimental effects of going into the forests and cutting down all the trees.
      Rain forests are homes for millions of plant and animal species, and destroying them leads to the premature extinction of these species. Many people do not understand the ecological services rain forests provide. Rain forests play a large role in the carbon cycle; they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen that humans need to live. By cutting down these trees enormous amounts of carbon dioxide are being emitted, this increase in carbon dioxide warms the atmosphere and increases temperatures worldwide. Humans are also losing oxygen needed for survival that these forests provide. So if the destruction of habitats for animals is not enough to raise awareness for deforestation, then maybe more carbon dioxide and less oxygen will wake people up.
      If the Amazon rain forest were a country it would be the ninth largest country in the world. This rain forest holds 20-40 million species. Yet, very little has been done to protect this store-house of biodiversity. Education is one of the best ways to fight deforestation. Many logging companies cut down trees to fulfill the needs of consumers. However, if consumers were to start demanding wood that is not cut down from nonrenewable sources and were to stop buying products that were made from old-growth forests, the company would want to change to satisfy the new needs. Another reason education is important is because a lot of deforestation in the Amazon is done by the local people living in the forest. They do not really know the long term effects of cutting down the trees. These people want the forest to survive; they need to live off of it. They could be taught more sustainable ways of harvesting the forests and using its resources. Community-based conservation is based on enlisting the local people to protect their environment.
     By the end of today at least 147 plants and animals will be lost due to deforestation.  Forests are worth protecting, they are homes for plants, animals, and people. In 100 years would it not be cool to ride your hover board through a rain forest?

Work Cited:
Darlington, Shasta. "Brazil Delays Vote on Bill Regulating Deforestation." CNN. Turner Broadcasting System, 06 Mar. 2012. Web. 07 Mar. 2013.
Leader, Jessica. "Amazon Deforestation: NASA Images Show The Great Rainforest Disappearing." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 06 Aug. 2012. Web. 07 Mar. 2013
Rodriguez, Alex. "Pakistan Flood Crisis Blamed Partly on Deforestation." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2010. Web. 07 Mar. 2013.