Effects of Deforestation
Written by Jewon Kwak
Forests are an important and common feature of the Earth’s land cover, covering 31 percent of the total land surface. As we are all taught in school, trees absorb carbon dioxide in exchange of oxygen. This makes forests the largest carbon storage among the whole world with the world’s forest holding about 30% of global carbon dioxide produced. As concerns for the effects of climate change augment, it is impossible to neglect the importance of preserving tropical forests in our contemporary world.
When Deforestation –an act of purposely or accidentally clearing forests – happens, the stored carbons are released to the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide. Averaged over 2015—2017, global loss of tropical forests contributed about 4.8 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide per year which is equivalent to 8-10% of annual human emissions of carbon dioxide. The effects of deforestation ultimately lead to a boost in climate change. Hence, it is essential to preserve tropical forests for achieving the goals of prevention of climate change addressed under the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, the current rate of decrease in tropical trees shows that it is nearly impossible to keep average global temperature below the pledged two degrees celsius.
There are a variety of reasons for Deforestation, but the prominent factor is the increase in wildfires throughout recent years. In the United States, the cases of wildfires between 1984 and 2015 have doubled according to the study in 2016 due to accelerated drying of organic matter. This is mainly due to climate change begetting drier and hotter climates in the tropics annually. Since the mid-1970s, the tropics have warmed at a mean rate of 0.26 °C per decade, This is furtherly supported by a study in 2021 by the NOAA that the main driver of this cause is climate change. Through multiple linked outcomes of climate change, global increase of extreme fires are predicted to increase 14 per cent by 2030, 30 per cent by the end of 2050, and 50 per cent by the end of the century according to the United States Environment Programme (UNEP).
It is important to acknowledge that deforestation is not only crucial for carbon storage but also for the incredible amount of biodiversity forests underpin. The Amazon, the world’s largest tropical rainforest, is known for housing almost 10% of the world’s known biodiversity with its immense river accounting for 15% of global river discharge into the oceans. Yet, up to this day, about 17% have been deforested over the timespan of 50 years. Furthermore, deforestation hampers the lifestyles of indigenous communities of local population that rely on these forests. Forests currently function and support the livelihoods of 1.6 billion people across the world providing jobs, shelter, and security.
However, each year approximately 12 million hectares of forest are destroyed. This deforestation, together with agriculture and other land use changes, is responsible for roughly 25 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions according to the UNEP. It is crucial that the Government take strict stances and implement strict laws and regulations to prevent illegal logging and land conversion. Government should instead take measures to promote eco-friendly projects such as planting trees. International cooperation and funding can aid developing countries in conserving their forests. Through collective efforts by preserving these vital ecosystems, it is not impossible to prevent the foreboding atrocities of climate change.
