Imagine a world with no more forests left. There would be no trees, there would be collapsed ecosystems and there would be many, many extinct species — including humans, because we cannot live in a world without the forests. Without them, we would suffocate in our own CO2 and suffer through hotter weather than ever recorded on Earth before.

Deforestation is the clearance of trees, primarily due to human activities such as logging. Another big cause of deforestation is to make room for livestock grazing, mining operations, oil extraction and urban development. Deforestation is causing environmental problems and needs to end. The wood from deforestation is burned away more often than not. All the machinery and the trees burning contributes to around 15 percent of annual global greenhouse gas emissions. That, combined with fewer trees and plants creating oxygen, is a leading cause of global warming. As the website globalwitness.org explains, in many instances deforestation and logging is done illegally and is illegally transported.

According to the European Journal, Science in School, “70 percent of the Earth’s land animals and plants live in forests.” Every day that deforestation continues, it’s not only the trees that die, but the living creatures that call those trees home. It’s not only animals that are killed or left with nowhere to go, but there are also millions of people living in forests, depending on them. However, these people often don’t have rights and can’t protect themselves. The people who cut down the forests do not care about the lives of these people; they are simply another object in their way. They are killed or forcibly removed from their place in the forest. They need those trees, those plants and animals, to live and survive.

You might be thinking, “But I can’t do anything to stop it, why should I bother?” You can help lessen the impact of deforestation on the planet. Small, simple tasks such as recycling can make a difference. Don’t waste or buy excess paper products. Try to eat less meat. Less meat means less land cleared for farm animals. Do your research and don’t vote for laws or regulations that contribute to deforestation. Even doing just one of these things will help.

An estimated 18 million acres of forest are lost each year. We only have so much of it.

Emma Yourstone,

Kenmore