Paper, medicines, edible plants – these are all items that
originate from forests. Indeed, it is far from surprising that 1/3 of all
people worldwide rely on forests for their livelihood, and 80% of all
terrestrial plants, insects and animals call this ecosystem their home.
However, this is also an ecosystem that is fast disappearing
– the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimate that, globally,
33 million acres of farmland are lost every year. This deforestation accounts
for a frightening 20% of all human induced greenhouse gas emissions.
One of the biggest causes of deforestation is population
growth – with a population fast approaching 8 billion people, land on planet
Earth is in short supply for agriculture, industry and urban centres. From
desertification to mining, land is at a premium. Sadly, more often than not,
forested land is not valued for the crucial role that it plays in tackling
climate change.
Crucially, trees have the ability to absorb CO2
as they grow. Although this CO2 is released when a tree dies and
rots or burns, if these trees are replaced through reforestation schemes the
size of their worldwide carbon sink is maintained. However, the delicate
balance of this system is thrown into disarray when deforestation occurs at a
faster rate than reforestation, diminishing the CO2 sink and, as a
result, releasing vast amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Trees are not only vital in regard to their ability to
regulate CO2 levels; their roots play a crucial role in the
stabilisation of soils, and the shade that they offer also reduces the susceptibility
of soils to dryness and therefore increased erosion. Trees release moisture
into the air, regulating the temperature of habitats and therefore providing
the ideal environment for flora and fauna to flourish in. They also help to prevent
against floods and droughts through the role that their roots play in absorbing
and storing rainwater, hence reducing run-off as a result.
It is clear that forested land provides a wealth of
environmental benefits; so, what can you as an individual do to slow the
process of deforestation? The good news is that individual actions can have a
major impact – start incorporating some of the below tips into your daily life
today!
- Stop printing and go paperless – in the US
alone, two million trees are cut down daily to meet the current demand for
paper.
- If you do need to use paper, make sure its
recycled – if everyone in the US used recycled paper just 10% of the time, 25
million trees and 367 million pounds of CO2 would be saved.
- Paper isn’t the only item that can be recycled –
consider buying recycled furniture or toilet paper and look out for products
certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
- Reduce your meat consumption - cattle ranches
and soy plantations are together responsible for 70% of all the deforestation occurring
across the Amazon. When you do eat meat, do your research and make sure it is
not sourced from land that has fallen prey to this practice.
- Only buy sustainable palm oil – according to the
World Wildlife Fund, palm oil is responsible for the clearance of an area the
size of 300 football fields every year. Check before you buy – the RSPO only certifies
companies that follow strict environmental and social criteria designed to minimise
its effects.
- Think before you burn – before lighting your
fireplace tonight, consider where the wood that you are burning originated
from. Prioritise wood that comes from sustainably managed forests.
- Help to replace trees that are cut down through
supporting the work of charities prioritising reforestation – have a look at
the World Wildlife Fund, Greenpeace or the Rain forest Action Network, just to
name a few.