Trees: A Disappearing Resource

1773 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Short and long term consequences of deforestation

The current state of our global climate is very fragile; we have renewable and nonrenewable resources that are being handled irresponsibly, which has created a host of problems for future generations to contemplate. Lumber has long been an invaluable resource to operate throughout history. Modern housing technology relies on lumber to supply the framework a house is built on. Vast arrays of other products such as furniture are also driven by lumber. Logging trees is harmful when no action to replace what was taken out of them occurs. As global warming has continued to increase, our climate changes, and we have facilitated this increase by the deforestation of our rain forests. Deforestation is not a unique modern problem, the ancient civilizations experienced deforestation before the decline of their civilizations. Developing countries are so focused on economic development they cast aside the ecological value of their rain forest. Deforestation occurs when people cut down trees haphazardly, and as George Santayana famously notes, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” we must learn from the past and adapt solutions to secure our future.

Trees have long been one of the most valuable renewable resources to man. “Logging has been linked with the folksy figure of Paul Bunyan , the mythical woodsman who carried an axe and was accompanied by his blue ox Babe. In reality, logging is a big, complex industry” (History Channel). Logging is important to the housing and furniture industries, even logs that sunk on their way to lumber mills 100 years ago are highly prized for the unique properties they gather during underwater ageing. ”The World Bank estimates that forest products are a $270-bi...

... middle of paper ...

...o build cities only makes global warming and climate change occur faster. In order to save our planet we need to stop this bad habit and organize an alternative solution to the mess we have on our hands instead of increasing the size of it.

Works Cited

Durham, M. (2007). The Great Global Warming Swindle.

Greenpeace. (2006, March 13). Deforestation. Retrieved from http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/climate-change/science/deforestation/

History Channel. (n.d.). Ax Men history of logging. Retrieved from http://www.history.com/shows/ax-men/articles/history-of-logging

Kourou, G. (2005, November 14). Deforestation continues at an alarming rate. Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2005/1000127/index.html

Radford University. (n.d.). Ancient civilizations. Retrieved from http://www.radford.edu/wkovarik/envhist/1ancient.html

Show More
Related

  • Deforestation In Canada

    1928 Words  | 4 Pages

    We can help stop the effects of deforestation by planting more trees, going paperless, and eat vegetarian meals as often as possible. Thirty eight percent of Ontario's wood is used for paper. We can save a lot of trees if people tried and cared more towards the world. In southern Canada they are planting trees where they are being cut. This will keep the amount of trees

    Read More

  • Lignocellulose Essay

    695 Words  | 2 Pages

    (Kumar et al., 2008a). Globally, 1.3  1010 metric tons of wood is produced by terrestrial

    Read More

  • Logging in the United States

    2840 Words  | 6 Pages

    The history of logging goes back to the vast ponderosa pine forests of the southern Colorado Plateau in the 1870’s and 1880’s with the harvest of railroad ties and other products for construction of the transcontinental railroad. At first, the companies only wanted the big, high-grade ponderosa pine trees. They soon realized that the big trees run out and are hard to transport. In the 1920’s, new technology including chainsaws, bulldozers, and logging trucks allowed the logging companies to harvest at a much greater rate. By the depression, there were m...

    Read More

  • Rainforest Destruction and Sociological Effects

    314 Words  | 1 Pages

    Taking wood from rainforests and old-growth forests is detrimental to the environment and society. However, it is possible for us to have sustainable wood if we make an effort.

    Read More

  • The Controversy of Deforestation

    2612 Words  | 6 Pages

    Environmental issues affect every life on this planet from the smallest parasite to the human race. There are many resources that humans and animal needs to survive; some of the most obvious resources come from the forests. Forests make up a large percentage of the globe. The forests have global implications not just on life but on the quality of it. Trees improve the quality of the air that species breath, determine rainfall and replenish the atmosphere. The wood from the forests are used everyday form many useful resources. Moreover, thinning the forests increases the amount of available light, nutrients and water for the remaining trees. Deforestation (forest thinning) is one of the most critical issues of environmental problems that are occurring today.

    Read More

  • Tragedy of Deforestation in Brazil and Indonesia

    1228 Words  | 3 Pages

    Deforestation is fast becoming one of the world’s worst environmental/geographical occurring disasters known to mankind, and is due to humankind’s greed, ignorance and carelessness when considering the future of our environment.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Deforestation

    765 Words  | 2 Pages

    “The Earth is 4.6 billion years old. Scaling to 46 years, human have been here 4 hours, the industrial revolution began 1 minute ago, and in that time, we’ve destroyed more than half the world’s forests.” - Unknown. One major environmental problem in our world is deforestation - what is that, you ask? According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, deforestation is the action or process of clearing of forests. Some consequences of this include a large contribution to global warming and climate change (about 1.5 billion tons of carbon dioxide each year), loss of biodiversity especially in tropical rainforests, and the extinction of many known or yet to be discovered species. But, through some Debt-for-Nature Swaps, leaving forests

    Read More

  • Deforestation Essay

    1140 Words  | 3 Pages

    Though deforestation has increased at an alarming rate throughout the past fifty years, deforestation has been performed during the course of history. According to the World Resources Institute, a majority of the world’s enduring naturally occurring forests are found in Alaska, Canada, Russia and the Northwestern Amazon. Research has demonstrated forests are more likely to be destroyed and repurposed where economic revenues tied to agriculture and pasture are prominent, typically attributed to advantageous weather conditions, or lower expenses of demolishing the forest and delivering merchandises to the global

    Read More

  • Growth Of Human Population

    1596 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...hich is an issue that simply cannot be ignored, due to the implications it has on our atmosphere. Our trees must be preserved as they are humanities biggest ally in the fight against the greenhouse effect, and if we continue to cut these trees down at rates faster than they can recover, the end for humanity as we know will be sooner rather than later. If deforestation is limited it will also limit the loss of biodiversity, which is an integral aspect to future survival.

    Read More

  • Consumerism In The Environment Essay

    765 Words  | 2 Pages

    Nowadays, more than half of the world population lives in cities. Urban populations consume 75% of the world 's natural resources and generate 75% of waste. Cities have become consumers of enormous amounts of natural resources and generating massive environmental

    Read More

  • trees

    407 Words  | 1 Pages

    Trees are terrific. They cover the world and provide air and beauty for all to enjoy. Yes indeed trees are terrific. There are many uses for trees and their byproducts. Everywhere we look there are trees or some kind of shrub that always give us something to look at.

    Read More

  • The Value of Trees

    779 Words  | 2 Pages

    Trees are usually considered as bland, unusual objects that are usually taken for granted; however, I believe there is more to a tree that meets the eye. They supply oxygen and shade. During the holidays, trees are able to spread holiday cheer by wearing holiday decorations. Through providing, they are always beneficial to the needs of others. Rather than having striking beauty like a flower, trees have are grounded and possess a gentle beauty; they are adapted wildflowers to their environment. In fact, if I had to compare myself to an inanimate object, I would choose a tree. A tree has many characteristics in common with me. Characteristics like relying on our roots, strength and observation, and helping others and leaving behind a powerful legacy are a few of the traits we share. All of which I believe are admirable qualities to possess.

    Read More

  • Deforestation as a Major Problem

    3202 Words  | 7 Pages

    centuries. Today with an increasing population the amount of wood available has declined seriously in recent decades. People have been harvesting wood to cultivate land, burn, and for the use of raw materials for industry (Urquhart 2014). The estimated amount of deforestation taking place is twenty million hectares per year (Urquhart 2014). Climate change and global warming are just a few of the problems associated with the degradation of our forests.

    Read More

  • Environmental Problems

    722 Words  | 2 Pages

    One of the most evident problems associated to the environment is the issue of the logging of trees, mainly in undisturbed places such as the Amazon basin. Trees are considered the lungs of the Earth. They recycle all the polluting carbon in the air and return oxygen back into our atmosphere, creating a stable cycle of carbon in our atmosphere. However, the impeccable rates which trees are being cut down in our forests have grown to ever increasing and alarming rates. Trees that are made way for farming are burnt up releasing deadly amounts of carbon and thus leading to the problem of global warming. As its names suggest the world is slowly warming up and without any notice the environment which God has gave us will be slowly eradicated. The daily lives which humans carry on about every day are also a factor influencing on our environment and global warming. By driving cars that have a thirst for petrol we are releasing carbon dioxide and furthermore impacting on the world?s climate. In Australia environmental impact has always been evident. Land clearing especially in places such as Queensland has caused land to lay dry and lifeless where all forms of life is destroyed. By clearing land we are not only affecting our climate but are also destroying animal habitat and the usage of the land. Senseless actions by commuters in Australia, emitting tons and tons of lethal gases vulnerable to the atmosphere are starting to take its toll on our climate. We are seeing a harsher climate and at the same time less rain. If we want to preserve our world we must take a stance on this issue and take action for what is right, not carrying on the actions that will lead to a desolate, destroyed Earth.

    Read More

  • Importance Of Trees Essay

    1136 Words  | 3 Pages

    Trees are one of the most important parts of the biosphere. They provide oxygen, which is one of the largest producers of life. Humans live and strive off of oxygen every second of their lives. Not just humans need oxygen to survive and thrive on Earth, but animals, and other creatures on the planet do as well. Trees are a huge part of all life and if they were gone, there would consequently be no form of life. Not only do trees create all forms of life, but they create beautiful surroundings for an area and create a comfortable and shady environment for all surrounding life. Even though trees seem to be everywhere you look, the planet is losing billions upon billions of them a year. Anywhere from three billion to six billion trees are lost every year, ("How Many Trees Are Cut Down Every Year? Rainforest Action Network Blog. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014”). With this fact in thought, it shows that planting one tree can create a bigger difference than you realize.

    Read More

More about Trees: A Disappearing Resource

Open Document