People Should Stop Deforestation of Rainforests Essay

Deforestation of the rainforest is a major crisis that is being experienced in the world. In the recent years, the relationship between human and nature is profoundly dysfunctional, and if the trend continues in the current trajectory, there will be a global ecological catastrophe. Deforestation of rainforest needs to be stopped as it is the world's oldest living ecosystem (McFarland 51). Deforestation has played a huge role in climate change. Industries, small companies, and individuals continue to cut down these natural biomes that are vast and magnificent.

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Human beings are the main reason we are experiencing deforestation of rainforest coupled with climate change. People cut down trees in the rainforest for several reasons which include: trees for timber and firewood, to create space for agriculture, places to settle the landless people, grazing land for cattle, trees for making paper, to pave the way for infrastructure constructions like roads and during extraction of minerals and energy. Climate change is also a threat to rainforest as experience in some parts of the Amazon and Southeast Asia (Tigre 67). In most rainforests, the leading cause of destruction is logging.

Deforestation of rainforests has numerous adverse effects on the humans, animals and the environment. First, deforestation contributes to global warming which has atmospheric repercussions. Tropical deforestation contributes to about 19% of the total greenhouse emissions and could account for a third of the world's anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions (Horning 23). Tree help reduce carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the environment by acting as air filters and if they cut without control, then there will be atmospheric repercussions.

Secondly, during photosynthesis, trees release oxygen and water into the atmosphere. Deforestation of rainforests causes the climate to be drier, soil to be depleted of water and soil erosion can quickly occur. Deforestation affects evapotranspiration which hurts precipitation. Thirdly, deforestation causes increased soil erosion especially in the steep slopes of the rainforest leading to landslides which can affect the human community negatively. It causes a decline in the biodiversity due to habitat loss for plants, animals, birds, and insects. Lastly, animals and many species are losing their homes due to tropical deforestation. Deforestation causes soil leaching which makes the soil infertile, and thus it becomes hazardous to the overall forest structure (Tigre 49).

We can save the remaining rainforests by ensuring that we recycle the products we get from trees which in return lower demand for trees and buying will tree products from companies that are environmentally friendly and are careful not to ruin the forests. We should not cut trees for the sake of it, and we should maintain balance by planting young trees to replace the harvested ones. Deforestation can also be regulated using deforestation regulations and quotas, peacefully protesting logging, promotion of renewable energy and reeducating people on the repercussions of deforestation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we need to conserve our rainforests as their benefits are enormous. Alternatives to these trees need to be looked at, and in case they are cut down; artificial tree planting should be looked at before it's too late (Horning 37). Statistically, over 500 trees in the rainforest are cut down every hour, and if this is not looked into, then human beings, animals and the environments are put in jeopardy. The rainforests are our home, and we must look after them carefully. We must save our home, protect our rainforests and as a result save our future.

Works Cited

Horning, Nadia R. "Why Deforestation Persists in Africa: Actors, Interests, and Interest Alignment." The Politics of Deforestation in Africa, 2018, pp. 1-41.

McFarland, Brian J. "The Context of Tropical Rainforest Deforestation and Degradation." Conservation of Tropical Rainforests, 2017, pp. 7-58.

Tigre, Maria A. "Threats to the Amazon Rainforest: Deforestation and Climate Change." Regional Cooperation in Amazonia , pp. 48-75.