Deforestation is one of the most urgent environmental problems in the 21st-century world. It refers to “the indiscriminate cutting of forest trees to satisfy man’s immediate needs” (Aba et al., 2017, p. 12696). These economic needs include but are not limited to agricultural work, urban expansion, livestock overgrazing, and exploitation of natural resources. Deforestation triggers numerous harmful and irreversible environmental effects. Therefore, it requires careful consideration and searches for ways to solve this issue and ultimately reduce the scope of deforestation.
It is necessary to point out the decision to conduct deforestation usually relies on a specific number of factors. Busch and Ferretti-Gallon (2017) refer to these factors as “drivers” (p. 4). According to the researchers, the primary driving forces are “the biophysical characteristics of the land,” such as the fertility of the soil (Busch & Ferretti-Gallon, 2017, p. 4). Further, one should always pay due attention to relevant market requirements. Hence, the scholars emphasize the need for “agricultural and timber commodities” (Busch & Ferretti-Gallon, 2017, p. 4). Finally, the surrounding infrastructure is essential, including nearby settlements and available transportation framework. The researchers argue that these drivers usually work in an intrinsic complexity, and thus become the decisive factor in undertaking deforestation. It is also expedient to keep in mind that these driving forces often contribute to further aggravation of cutting forests. For instance, when the first two factors trigger the deforestation process, one may require further expansion of transportation infrastructure for this purpose. As one can observe, this vicious circle of devastation is virtually endless.
Indeed, the environmental effects of deforestation are highly alarming. First of all, it disrupts carbon dioxide and oxygen exchange with subsequent global warming of the planet. This phenomenon constitutes “a universal crisis which threatens environmental sustainability and is capable of making human life unbearable” (Oladipo, 2015, p. 109). Hence, “human activities are changing the composition of the atmosphere at an unprecedented rate” (Aba et al., 2017, p. 12697). To be more specific, cutting forests increases the “buildup of CO2 and other atmospheric impurities” (Aba et al., 2017, p. 12702). As a result, deforestation significantly contributes to climate warming. In other words, there is an obvious threat to the future of our planet.
Furthermore, deforestation directly affects water resources, both in terms of their availability and quality. That is to say, cutting forests disrupts the balance of evapotranspiration and precipitation. It is evident that the problem of impaired water resources also logically stems from the issue of global warming, as discussed above. Climate change triggers the “melting of ice sheets in the Polar Regions and mountain glaciers” (Aba et al., 2017, p. 12697). It is necessary to observe that water is essential not only for human consumption but also for “irrigation and energy production” (Jusys, 2018, 1). Therefore, climate warming will have an irreversible and disastrous impact on the water cycle. Eventually, the adverse effect of deforestation will be catastrophic for everyone in the world.
It may seem that deforestation is a natural and indispensable prerequisite of the economy. However, it can potentially bring to nothing not only the human activities but the existence of humankind as such. For example, the adverse effect on agriculture is another detrimental consequence of deforestation. Indeed, cutting forests reduces soil moisture and leads to land degradation (Aba et al., 2017). Besides, deforested areas are subject to such natural disasters as “flooding and erosion” (Aba et al., 2017, p. 12698). As a result, the nutrients of the soil will deplete, which causes vegetation loss and thus undermines the agricultural sector. All these effects are detrimental to biodiversity. Consequently, the agriculturally used areas will inevitably decrease. As one can easily observe, there is a real threat of food shortage on a global basis. It is also evident that deforestation has both biophysical and socio-economic impacts, as discussed above. More importantly, these two types of effects are virtually inseparable from each other since human economic activity largely depends on the biophysical profile of the environment.
Specific and well-coordinated activities are required to address this urgent issue. First of all, it is necessary to overcome the widespread concept of modern civilization, which “prioritizes economic wealth over nature conservation” (Jusys, 2018, p. 13). In other words, people must understand the value of sustainable development, which implies using the available resources carefully and thoughtfully, intending to preserve them for the needs of future generations. To this end, supporting and educational activities are valid, starting from sustainability-tailored curricula at schools. In such a manner, understanding the significance of preserving forests will develop in people since their childhood. Moreover, careful monitoring of the population’s attitudes and tendencies is of utmost importance. For instance, Jusys (2018) conducted a cross-sectional analysis to reveal the changing behavioral deforestation patterns, as exemplified by the Brazilian Amazon region. That is to say, a constant focus on a particular context is crucial.
Apart from nurturing the psychological foundation for sustainability, specific regulatory steps are essential. Indeed, tackling the problem of deforestation requires the establishment of targeted programs, whose responsibilities will focus specifically on this issue. For example, international organizations develop numerous projects and policies, including “Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD)” (Oladipo, 2015, p. 110). The program has elaborated a range of targets, aimed at limiting and reducing deforestation. Currently, specific monetary policies and other incentives are applied in different countries all around the world to monitor the adherence to REDD strategies (Oladipo, 2015). Similarly, Busch and Ferretti-Gallon (2017) performed a meta-analysis study to explore the effectiveness of policies aimed at slowing deforestation. In particular, the authors identified such effective strategies, as road network planning, enforcement of forest legislation, “moratoria on agricultural concessions, and agricultural credit restrictions” (Busch & Ferretti-Gallon, 2017, p. 15). In addition, Aba et al. (2017) advocate the program, directed at coordinated integration of plantation in “the agricultural systems, homes, institutions, markets, parks and other public places” (p. 12702). In such a manner, the scholars expect to mitigate the detrimental effects of deforestation.
Hence, the process of deforestation aggravates the problem of global warming. Indiscriminate cutting of forests violates the delicate balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen exchange, which is vital for all living organisms. It is also detrimental to biodiversity, water cycles, and the condition of soils. Therefore, universally coordinated intervention efforts are of paramount importance to reduce deforestation. Such actions include relevant policies, regulatory standards, and strategic planning. Besides, careful consideration of a particular context in each country is crucial. In such a manner, humanity will ultimately succeed in this struggle for survival and preserve our planet for future generations, thus achieving sustainable development.
References
Aba, S.C., Ndukwe, O.O., Amu, C.J., & Baiyeri, K.P. (2017). The role of trees and plantation agriculture in mitigating global climate change. The African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 17(4), 12691–12707.
Busch, J., & Ferretti-Gallon, K. (2017). What drives deforestation and what stops it? A meta-analysis. Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, 11(1), 3–23.
Jusys, T. (2018). Changing patterns in deforestation avoidance by different protection types in the Brazilian Amazon. PLoS ONE, 13(4), e0195900. 1–16.
Oladipo, E. (2015). Global impact of environmental sustainability on deforestation. International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, 6(9), 103–115.