Forests
Forests are essential to our survival. Not only do they give us the air we breathe and purify the water we drink, they are also home to millions of plants, animals and indigenous communities. The accelerated decline of many of the world's forests represents one of the biggest problems and opportunities facing the planetary community.
Like the oceans, forests are so vast that their entire area is not yet known. However, deforestation constitutes a profound and often irreversible degradation for both biodiversity and humanity's prospects. If this crisis is not contained and combated, vast sectors of the world may have much to lose.
Photo by Kamchatka
What are the causes of deforestation?
Forests are essential to our survival. Not only do they give us the air we breathe and purify the water we drink, they are also home to millions of plants, animals and indigenous communities. The accelerated decline of many of the world's forests represents one of the biggest problems and opportunities facing the planetary community.
Like the oceans, forests are so vast that their entire area is not yet known. However, deforestation constitutes a profound and often irreversible degradation for both biodiversity and humanity's prospects. If this crisis is not contained and combated, vast sectors of the world may have much to lose.
What are the causes of deforestation?
Photo by Kevin Wells
Forests are essential to our survival. Not only do they give us the air we breathe and purify the water we drink, they are also home to millions of plants, animals and indigenous communities. The accelerated decline of many of the world's forests represents one of the biggest problems and opportunities facing the planetary community.
Like the oceans, forests are so vast that their entire area is not yet known. However, deforestation constitutes a profound and often irreversible degradation for both biodiversity and humanity's prospects. If this crisis is not contained and combated, vast sectors of the world may have much to lose.
From Getty Images Pro
Forests are essential to our survival. Not only do they give us the air we breathe and purify the water we drink, they are also home to millions of plants, animals and indigenous communities. The accelerated decline of many of the world's forests represents one of the biggest problems and opportunities facing the planetary community.
Like the oceans, forests are so vast that their entire area is not yet known. However, deforestation constitutes a profound and often irreversible degradation for both biodiversity and humanity's prospects. If this crisis is not contained and combated, vast sectors of the world may have much to lose.
Forest exploitation for paper production has a major impact on our forests, from promoting deforestation in tropical forests to the degradation of huge expanses of temperate forests.
While there are examples of more responsible paper production that can be found worldwide, newsprint, book paper, writing paper, fabric and paper packaging all too often come at the expense of our healthy forests worldwide.
PAPER PRODUCTION AND DISPOSABLE PACKAGING
PAPER PRODUCTION AND DISPOSABLE PACKAGING
PAPER PRODUCTION AND DISPOSABLE PACKAGING
PAPER PRODUCTION AND DISPOSABLE PACKAGING
PAPER PRODUCTION AND DISPOSABLE PACKAGING
Photo by Kevin Wells
How can we reverse the situation?
“Ending deforestation is our best opportunity to conserve wildlife and defend the rights of forest communities. In addition, it is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to stop global warming. That’s why we’re campaigning for a future without deforestation. ” - Greenpeace
1. GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS
If we want to stop deforestation, we need governments to do their part. The best solution for deforestation is the adoption of national and international forest conservation policies.
What are the causes of deforestation?
2. REFORESTATION AND ARBORIZATION
The forest areas destroyed for urban expansion must be replanted nearby, as a way to replace the cut trees.
What if I told you that you can plant a tree with every search you do on the web? The Ecosia is a free search engine designed to generate advertising revenue used for planting trees.
3. PASS THE WORD
Many are unaware of many of the problems that the environment faces. Educate your friends, family and community. Shares facts about deforestation, as well as its causes and effects. Your voice counts!
4. REDUCE MEAT CONSUMPTION
Livestock farming, as already mentioned, is one of the causes of deforestation. Try to reduce meat consumption. It can be difficult at first. However, eating less meat will not only have a positive impact on the planet but also on your health. You do not believe? Take a look at the Netflix documentary: Cowspiracy
5. SAY "NO" TO PALM OIL
As already mentioned, palm oil is a common ingredient in many of the products we consume. It adopts the habit of reading the labeling of the packages you buy and see whether or not there is palm oil in the product. Thus, you will also be informing yourself better than you will actually be ingesting.
Photo by Sergey Ryzhov
Photo by Robert Downer
Photo by Filipe Frazão
6. SUPPORTS INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
For tens of thousands of years, forests around the world have been home to Indigenous Peoples. Evidence shows that when Indigenous Peoples' rights to traditional lands and self-determination are respected, forests remain standing. But too often, corporations and governments intentionally ignore or trample on the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
For tens of thousands of years, forests around the world have been home to Indigenous Peoples. Evidence shows that when Indigenous Peoples' rights to traditional lands and self-determination are respected, forests remain standing. But too often, corporations and governments intentionally ignore or trample on the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
For tens of thousands of years, forests around the world have been home to Indigenous Peoples. Evidence shows that when Indigenous Peoples' rights to traditional lands and self-determination are respected, forests remain standing. But too often, corporations and governments intentionally ignore or trample on the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
7. SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION
Change begins with the choices we make on a daily basis. Avoid disposable packaging, choose healthy food, choose recycled or responsibly produced wood products. If we all do our part, we are already contributing to the protection of forests.
7. SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION
Change begins with the choices we make on a daily basis. Avoid disposable packaging, choose healthy food, choose recycled or responsibly produced wood products. If we all do our part, we are already contributing to the protection of forests.
Change begins with the choices we make on a daily basis. Avoid disposable packaging, choose healthy food, choose recycled or responsibly produced wood products. If we all do our part, we are already contributing to the protection of forests.