By Elizabeth Seward
Harrison Ford shows Hollywood Green viewers a pretty unique look at what deforestation does to our planet, but in the real world, deforestation is just a fancy word that means exactly what you probably think it means: the destruction of forested lands. Forests are destroyed at an ongoing rate to harvest trees and in order to make room for urban development and pastures. Is this socially progressive? Well, sure. In some ways, destroying the forest does allow for us to advance socially and keep moving forward with a disregard for the planet. So why should we care about the effects of deforestation? It?s simple: because it affects us.
Whether or not we realize it, deforestation is actually lowering our quality of life. Every time forests are destroyed and aren't replenished, we lose habitats and overall biodiversity.
Did you know that around half of the tropical forests that once stood have now been destroyed? And all of this has definitely contributed to the global warming crisis we are now facing. Not only do all of these forests help us breathe via photosynthesis, but the CO2 that is released from forest plants during this process has also increased the severity of global warming.
This isn't something that the people of the last two centuries are responsible for alone, though. Deforestation has long been a part of human life. In fact, it has been practiced since the beginning of civilization. It has occurred all over the world, but the great Amazon Forest is being destroyed at an alarming rate, amongst others.
Of course we can't wipe this process out entirely at this point, but there are things that we all can do in order to help prevent as much deforestation as possible:
- Use recycled items.
- Plant trees.
- If you cut down trees, only cut down mature ones and replant a sapling in its place.
- Join environmental awareness groups.
- Limit your consumption of palm oil.
If we all do what we can, at least we'll be doing something. If we don't act sooner than later, this planet will hardly be able to sustain life the way that we need it to.
