Part 6: INDIVIDUAL POLICIES

As discussed in our previous chapters, deforestation does more destruction than good for our environment and society. We will now focus on what measures we can put down for reforestation. In this chapter we focus on individual policies. What can you do to reduce deforestation and its negative effects.

1. Education

• Educating yourself and passing it on to others is the first step you can take towards reforestation. Get to know what deforestation is and its effect and the seriousness of how its affecting you and your future generations.
• Online material can be found from sites like National Geographic. Books available include Global Deforestation by Paolo D'Odorico and Forests and Climate Change: The Social Dimensions of REDD in Latin America by Anthony Hall. Alternatively you can listen to podcasts with Thomas Mann or Jonah Busch regarding deforestation or watch YouTube videos regarding the same from National Geographic. 

2. Use Renewable Wood Resources

• Sustainable, locally sourced wood can be used and charcoal for cooking or heating homes is a great alternative to fossil fuels especially if locally sourced. 

3. Reduce Meat Consumption 

• The consumption of meat has a major effect on deforestation because producing meat, particularly beef, uses large amounts of land. In recent years, much of the new land for meat production has come from clearing tropical forests. 

4. Reduce Consumption of Palm-oil based Products

• Today palm oil production is the largest cause of deforestation in Indonesia and other equatorial countries with dwindling expanses of tropical rainforest. Indonesia's endangered orangutan population, which depends upon the rainforest, has dwindled by as much as 50% in recent years. 

5. Reduce the Use of Paper

• Instead use recycled paper products including printing paper, notebooks, napkins and toilet paper. 
• Adapt to simple habits such as trying to print or write on both sides of paper, using less toilet paper and avoiding paper plates and napkins in order to reduce paper wastage. 
• Use paper alternatives such as wood-free uncoated paper and cotton paper.  

 6. Purchase from sustainable companies

• Purchase from companies who are committed to reducing deforestation such as Nestlé, L'Oréal and Unilever. 

 7.  Plant Trees

• Planting a tree is one of the easiest and powerful methods of combating deforestation log onto https://www.the-sol-foundation.org/ to plant a tree from your personal space. 
• You can also own an indoor garden or take care of a potted plant and later release is to the forest. 

 8. Use bio-degradable products

• Buy recycled products or use products which you can recycle them. Be considerate and avoid wastage and responsibly dispose off waste ( Recycle them! ) 
• You can purchase products such as plantable pencils, handmade soaps and bamboo toothbrushes from Go Green with Chilo & Pri based in Mombasa, Kenya. 
• Other companies selling re-usable products include Worldcentric for biodegradable bags, dishware and cutlery, papelyco for plantable plates, Tipa for biodegradable flexible plastic among others. 

 9. Practice Zero-Waste

• Zero- waste means to generate little or no waste. We should buy only what we need and reuse whenever possible. Let us try to be considerate about our environment protecting our trees and helping those who cannot meet their basic needs by practicing zero waste in every aspect of our lives. 

There are many other ways that an individual can help save our beloved trees from being cut down. Remember charity begins from home and you need to practice these and more methods to conserve our environment before you tell others to do so.

Let us take a small initiative today towards reforestation and help make a difference in the lives of our coming generations.