Part 5: NEGATIVE IMPACTS

In our last chapter we looked at the positive impacts of deforestation and its importance in increasing economy and jobs. In this chapter we will focus on the negative impacts and find out if we can risk those jobs and increment to economy for the better good.

Lets take a look at the destruction deforestation does to our ecology: 

1. Increased Greenhouse Gas Emissions 

• It is estimated that deforestation is responsible for around 20% of greenhouse gas emissions and 1.5 billion tons of carbon is released every year. (vocal.media) 
• Plants and trees play a vital role in keeping the planet habitable. They filter carbon dioxide out of the air to release oxygen, which animals and humans need to survive. The cutting down of huge numbers of plants can have negative impact on the environment by allowing green house gases to build up hence contributing to global warming. 

      2. Extinction of species

• The World Wildlife Federation released  report in 2018 that concluded that since 1970, humans have eliminated 60% of the animal species because of growing consumption of resources and food. 
• When forests are cut down, it is not only the trees that are being lost but also countless amounts of wildlife, such as mammals, birds, insects, amphibians and many other that make them their home. 
• Orangutans, giant pandas, rhinos and elephants are just a few of hundreds of endangered species due to deforestation 

     3.  Loss of diversity

• When we lose diversity in our DNA, then there is a noticeable increase in risk of genetic mutations occurring. By limiting diversity, we are creating problems that may last for generations.

     4. Flooding and erosion 

• Without trees to secure fertile soil, erosion often occurs and sweeps sacred land into nearby rivers. When the protective forest canopy and roots have been destroyed, the soil will lose its proportions to retain water and is washed away into rivers and streams. 
• Due to erosion, the risk of flooding during the rainy seasons increases dramatically. Poor water absorption levels make it easier for higher accumulation levels since the trees are no longer present to take up extra moisture. 

     5. Others

• Selective logging increases the flammability of the forest because it converts a closed, wetter forests into a more open and drier one. 
• Life quality decreases
• Causing longer drought seasons
• Hinder production of medicine 
• Loss of indigenous culture 
• Boosts to economy are temporary
• Negatively impact local water supply

Above all we are losing our beautiful environment and what gives the wold its beautiful green color. 

Looking at all the above we conclude that deforestation has more negative impacts than the positive ones and hence should be working towards reforestation. 

In our next chapter we will be looking at how we can combat deforestation and encourage reforestation.