Deforestation and Global Warming Essay Example

Deforestation and Global Warming Paper Farmers cut forests to provide more room for planting crops or grazing livestock. Often many small farmers will each clear a few acres to feed their families by cutting down trees and burning them in a process known as slash and burn agriculture. Logging operations, which provide the worlds wood and paper products, also cut countless trees each year. Loggers, some of them acting illegally, also build roads to access more and more remote forests. This process just leads to further deforestation. Forests are also cut as a result of growing urban populations. Hydroelectric dams are quite controversial because while they help to power communities, they also contribute to deforestation. Damming opponents believe that the building of such structures not only has a negative environmental impact, but it also opens up the area to loggers and more roads. To build a hydroelectric dam, acres of land must be flooded, which causes decomposition and release of greenhouse gases. Local people can also be displaced by dam projects, causing further deforestation when these people resettle elsewhere. Although not all deforestation is intentional, some s caused by a combination of human and natural factors like wildfires and subsequent overgrazing, which may prevent the growth of young trees. Fires, both accidental and intended, destroy acres of forest very quickly. Areas affected by logging are more susceptible to fires due to the number of dried and dead trees. Milder winters and extended warm seasons due to global warming also helps fuel fires. For example, certain species of beetle that usually die off each winter are now able to survive and continue feeding on trees. We will write a custom essay sample on Deforestation and Global Warming specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Deforestation and Global Warming specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Deforestation and Global Warming specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer This feeding causes the trees to die and dry out, making them more susceptible to fires. Effects of Deforestation Deforestation has many negative effects on the environment. The most dramatic impact is a loss of habitat for millions of species. Seventy percent of Earths land animals and plants live in forests, and many cannot survive the deforestation that destroys their homes. Soil erosion, while a natural process, is accelerated with deforestation. Trees and plants act as a natural barrier to slow water as it runs off the land. Roots bind the soil and prevent it from washing away. The absence of vegetation causes the topsoil to erode more quickly. Its difficult for plants to grow in the less nutritious soil that remains. Deforestation also drives climate change. Forest soils are moist, but without protection from sun blocking tree cover they quickly dry out. Trees also help perpetuate the water cycle by returning water vapor back into the atmosphere. Without trees to fill these roles, many former forest lands can quickly become barren deserts. Removing trees deprives the forest of portions of its canopy, which blocks the suns rays during the day and holds in heat at night. This disruption leads to more extreme temperatures swings hat can be harmful to plants and animals. Trees also play a critical role in absorbing the greenhouse gases that fuel global warming. Fewer forests mean larger amounts of greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere. Scientists are finding more and more links between deforestation and global warming. The carbon footprint created by four years of deforestation is equal to the carbon footprint of every single air flight in the history of aviation up to the year 2025. Solutions for Deforestation The quickest solution to deforestation would be to simply stop cutting down trees. Though deforestation rates have slowed a bit in recent years, financial realities make this unlikely to occur. A more workable solution is to carefully manage forest resources by eliminating clear-cutting to make sure that forest environments remain intact. The cutting that does occur should be balanced by the planting of enough young trees to replace the older ones cut down around the world. Most deforested areas when left alone will eventually regenerate to fertile landscape. We can certainly plant more trees in a process called reforestation. In fact, many nonprofit organizations have popped up to support reforestation. Although the number of new trees planted each year is growing, their total still equals only a tiny fraction of the Earths forested land. Conclusion In conclusion, deforestation is a serious problem affecting all areas of the globe. The effects of deforestation are long lasting and devastating. Entire species of insects and animals have disappeared because of the destruction of their habitats. Scientists see that deforestation has a significant effect on climate change, or global warming. This alone should be enough to cause change in our approach to deforestation.

Cameron Greer Essays - United States, Free Essays, Term Papers

Cameron Greer Essays - United States, Free Essays, Term Papers Cameron Greer 03 Oct 2016 Intro to Political Science Professor Baptist Presidential Debate 26 Sep 2016: Analysis Throughout the first presidential debate this year there was a lot of information covered. There was also a lot of questions avoided . To me, Mr. Trump was not prepared for the debate. He tended to answer around a lot of questions that asked for specific policy. The ones that were most obvious were how he planned to stop police shootings of African-American s , and how to improve the black community. He solely responded by stating we need "Law and Order" which is an extremely vague policy that provides little to no help for the black community. When Mr. Trump was asked about how he will increase jobs, as well as his entire economic plan he stated some policies that were questionable. First , he said that he would stop companies from leaving the U.S. He believes that if we tax companies hard when they import their goods into the United States that they will not want to leave, thus creating more jobs for Americans. In my opinion, I believe it is a good idea to tax companies when they import goods into the U.S. and thought this policy is not a bad idea. Trump then mentioned that he wants even more tax cuts for the wealthy so that they can expand their companies and provide more jobs. Now, I do not believe this policy is smart, because greed is a factor and the company will most likely keep the money at the top. Over many years, it has shown that majority of the money stays with in the heads of the companies and not with the working and middle class. To move on to the next point, Mr. Trump was asked about cyber security and our national security as a whole. He stated that, as far as cyber security, that we should be better than anyone else at technology and that we need to use our technology to take threats out. I am not sure what he meant by this but it just another slew of vague statements made by Mr. Trump during the debate. He also talked about how we need to use NATO to take out ISIS and that other countries in NATO need to pay us. I agree that NATO can be used as a coalition force to take out ISIS, and that it would be much easier this way. As far as other countries paying us, at this point in time I don't believe it is that big of a deal. Lastly , he mentioned the Iran deal and how bad it was. I personally believe it was a good deal because, although it was temporary, something needed to be done. Mrs. Clinton to me was very poised and prepared for all questions and rebuttals from Mr. Trump. When asked about her policy for creating jobs and improving the economy she was more detailed in her plan. She started by saying that we need to have an economy that works for everyone not just the upper class . Also, that we need to focus on infrastructure, energy, small business and raising minimum wage the most to create more jobs. As it pertains to the economy, she has a plan that closes corporate loop holes and focuses on making in an investment in the economy where everyone can and will have the opportunity to grow. I generally agreed with Mrs. Clinton's policies about the economy. She really talked about improving and placing a re-emphasis on the middle class. Now, when she was asked about cyber security and our national security she had similar answers to Mr. Trump. She also stated that we should have a greater capacity online to defeat ISIS and other hackers around world attacking our databases. Also referring to ISIS, she believes we should use airstrikes and put a focus on taking out their leaders. I could not agree more with Mrs. Clinton that we need to take out ISIS leadership and make it our priority. As it pertains to NATO, she agrees with Mr. Trump that they should put more focus on terror. However, she