Social and Environmental Issues: Deforestation by Fong Khi Yung

Deforestation is the clearing of forests by burning or cutting down trees due to overpopulation, agricultural needs and urbanization. We need space to build houses for the growing population, factories for production and land for agriculture. However, we have failed to see the harmful effects caused by deforestation.

Though deforestation allows us to urbanize and develop, thus bringing more wealth to the country, animals in the forest will lose their homes or may face extinction. The deforested area will become hotter and this may contribute to global warming. There will be more carbon dioxide and less oxygen after deforestation.

Several agencies like the United Nations and World Bank are looking into this issue. They give money to encourage developing countries to limit or roll back deforestation. New farming methods are developed to maximize land usage.

I strongly believe that trees are important to us. Let us save the trees!

Caption: Deforestation in Panama
URL: http://photos.mongabay.com/en/953Deforestation.htm

Caption: A vast area of the Amazon rain forest is now gone.
URL: http://www.theargentimes.com/socialissues/environment/amazonian-deforestation-soars-/

Caption: Trees being chopped down. Only the stumps are left standing.
URL: http://arbertechno.wordpress.com/2009/12/12/google-earth-discovers-technology-to-prevent-deforestation/