Deforestation has been an ongoing global issue for many years, but with increasing concern surrounding the climate crisis, its effect on global warming has come into sharper focus.
The destruction of forests is estimated to contribute about 20-25% of total global carbon emissions, more than all of the world’s cars, trains, planes and ships combined. Deforestation happens when forests are cut down to make way for pastures to raise livestock, for commercial crops, to construct cities and roads, or to harvest timber. In some cases, the trees may be burned off to clear them away, releasing the carbon they have stored up over the years, in what is called deforestation burn.
When forests are cleared, both the trees and their deep roots are removed, meaning that the soil is also disrupted, and its ability to absorb water is reduced. As a result, global warming increases as Sun’s heat is not adequately reflected away by the shade cast by the trees. Studies suggest that increasing deforestation leads to more rainfall in the surrounding areas, resulting in higher temperatures for the rest of the world. This in turn worsens the effects of global warming.
Global warming causes a variety of catastrophic effects, such as an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, the melting of polar ice caps, and rising sea levels, threatening habitats around the world. Deforestation also has a terrible knock-on effect as it reduces the amount of carbon-absorbing trees, exacerbating both global warming and climate change.
However, it is important to note that deforestation is also a crucial source of income to many people in the developing world, who cut down trees to make their living. For these communities, it can be difficult to distinguish between profit-driven and conservation-minded methods of land management. Furthermore, some experts argue that given the right conditions, reforestation can be an effective tool to combat global warming, as trees absorb the carbon dioxide that causes temperatures to increase.
The big challenge is finding ways to balance the need for economic growth, with the need for more environmentally-sustainable development. Governments around the world must come together and devise ways to reform their land management policies, as well as providing more support to local communities to reduce the financial burden of making deforestation-free choices.
What is clear is that any effort to combat climate change must include a plan to reduce the effects of deforestation. There are a number of solutions, from tree planting and land conservation, to education and more sustainable farming practices. The key is for governments, businesses and society as a whole to work together to ensure long-term sustainability of ecosystems around the world, and in doing so, help to mitigate the impacts of global warming.
