Is it worth it?

Hello world! My name is Jordy Davia and I am a 16-year-old Future Environmental Defender and blogger for animal exploitation and environmental issues. These issues are incredibly important and need to be discussed rather than being brushed under the carpet. This “out of sight, out of mind” behaviour needs to stop because this is not some small, silly problem that we can keep ignoring. This is our planet. We need to be aware and educated on the issues going on. Obviously there was a lot that made me get to this point of deciding that it was time for a change but putting it simply; why am I sitting idly by and watching this amazing planet be destroyed when I can be making a difference? My whole life I have loved animals and the world we live in and when I became aware of the injustice that animals and the environment received, I knew that something had to be done and I wanted to be a part of it. So that’s why I joined Fed Up. To be a part of a movement that displays that teenagers can make just as much of an impact as anyone else. As I sit here writing this introduction in my bed, I can’t help get excited for what is about to come.

The environmental issue I will be focussing on is deforestation. Each year, humans cut down 15 billion trees worldwide and the global tree count has fallen 46% since the start of human civilisation (Worland, 2015). Deforestation is not only directly correlated to global warming; it is also destroying the habitats of many animals who quite simply cannot live elsewhere. In this post I will be discussing where and why deforestation occurs, the effects deforestation has on the environment and animals and what we can do to help.

Deforestation is occurring all over the world as we speak. According to the deforestation index of 2012, Brazil, Nigeria, Indonesia, Cambodia, DR Congo, North Korea, Bolivia, Nicaragua and Papua New Guinea were classified as ‘extreme risk’ (Maplecroft, 2012). One of the main causes for deforestation is animal agriculture. The land is cleared so there is space for farmers to keep their animals and grow crops for them to eat. Palm oil also one of the biggest contributors in Indonesia causing 16% of deforestation in the country. In 2011 the Indonesian government enforced a two-year ban on deforestation. This was so important not only because Indonesia had one of the highest carbon-emissions in 2012, but also due to the fact that the Indonesians forests are home to orang-utans, tigers and many other endangered species. Deforestation also occurs so companies can produce paper. Often the paper that is produced is unnecessary as 44% of junk mail goes unopened (Conserve-Energy-Future, 2013). The causes of deforestation may seem valid but the effects on the environment are catastrophic and need to be acknowledged.

Deforestation is causing major damage to our planet and we need to become aware of the effects our actions are having. One of the most dangerous effects deforestation causes is global warming and the increase in carbon dioxide emissions. Deforestation contributes upwards of 15% of carbon emissions globally (Scientific American, 2012). This is not only due to trees main purpose of converting carbon dioxide to oxygen but majorly the technique used to clear land. The main method that is used is when the trees are cut down and then burned so the land is left completely barren. This technique generally occurs between June and October and in that time, 20% of fires worldwide are caused by deforestation. This burning of trees releases a significantly harmful amount of carbon into the atmosphere. Another major issue caused by deforestation is the destruction of animals’ habitats. It is estimated that 70% of deforested land was turned into agricultural areas displaying the destruction of an animals’ home for human wants (WWF, n.d.). Deforestation is also identified as the main risk to 85% of species listed on the IUCN’s Red List (species officially classified as endangered). Deforestation is not only directly effecting the environment, but life forms as well.

So what can we do to help? With an insanely wide range of organisations doing their part to help minimise deforestation, it is important to be educated so you can do your part to. Pressuring big corporation to take a step towards being more environmentally friendly would get a lot of publicity and encourage others to get involved as well. Politics! With the government holding so much power, the impact they could have on the environment if they were to change the law would be massive. Although these seem like big steps to conquer, I feel like we can all do our part to help the environment even if it is just a little bit. It won’t be easy but we cannot just keep going on like this and destroying our planet.

Biliography

Conserve-Energy-Future. (2013). 51 Facts About Deforestation - Conserve Energy Future. [online] Available at: http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/various-deforestation-facts.php [Accessed 12 May 2016].

Scientific American. (2012). Deforestation and Its Extreme Effect on Global Warming. [online] Available at: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/deforestation-and-global-warming/ [Accessed 4 May 2016].

Gilbert, N. (2012). Indonesian deforestation ban makes slow progress. Nature.

Maplecroft. (2012). Highest Rates of Deforestation. [online] Available at: https://maplecroft.com/about/news/deforestation.html [Accessed 3 May 2016].

Wwf.panda.org. (n.d.). Impact of habitat loss on species. [online] Available at: http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/species/problems/habitat_loss_degradation/ [Accessed 14 May 2016].

Mtholyoke.edu. (2006). Methods. [online] Available at: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~conne22m/classweb/deforestation/methods.html [Accessed 5 May 2016].

Worland, J. (2015). Here's How Many Trees Humans Cut Down Each Year. [online] Time. Available at: http://time.com/4019277/trees-humans-deforestation/ [Accessed 7 May 2016].

#Environment