DeforestationDeforestation

What is deforestation?What is deforestation?

Deforestation is the conversion of forested areas to non-forest land for

• arable land (growing crops)

• pasture

• urban use

• logged area

• wasteland.

Causes of Deforestation

• Logging

logging industry is fueled by the need for disposable products.

eg. McDonald’s needs 800 square miles of trees to make the amount of paper they need for a year’s supply of packaging.

eg.British Columbia Manufacture 7,500,500 pairs of chopsticks a DAY!!

• Cattle grazingDue to the growth of fast food chains, high demand of beef for hamburger. In the Amazon region of South America alone, there are 100 000 beef ranches!

• Other causes

Acid rain and the building of dams have their

share of harmful effects. The race to produce cash crops Urban development Catastrophic wildfires in dry areas Forest degradation Slash-and-burn techniques by farmers

eg.Brazil, Indonesia

Effects of Deforestation• Atmospheric pollution• Wildlife

Deforestation causes the destruction of the habitats of wildlife animals.

eg.extinction

endangered species• Hydrologic cycle water resources

The presence or absence of trees affect the quantity of water.

• Flood

What can we do to help?

We can adopt a “zero waste” frame in our everyday-lives.

We can reuse/reduce things

eg.paper

cans

boxes

Did you know?• Every ton of recycled paper saves

approximately 17 trees.

• It is equivalent to 4,100 kilo watt hours of electricity.

• Enough energy to heat the average home for 6 months!!

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