Deforestation

Definition
Deforestation is the mass destruction of trees, when trees and forests over about 30% of the Earth's surface. The main cause of deforestation is agriculture and according to the National Geographic, "Farming, grazing of livestock, mining, and drilling combined account for more than half of all deforestation" (1). Forrests will also oftentimes be cut down in countries that are subject to heavy and unstable mining and oil drilling practices, like Indonesia and Malaysia. Illegal logging also contributes to not only deforestation, but forest degradation which is the downfall of a forest's ecosystem.

Why does it matter?
Cutting down trees emits greenhouse gases into the atmosphere such as carbon dioxide. The loss of trees also ravages the forest's ecosystem as many organisms will be forced out of their natural habitats where food, water, and shelter may have relied on the forest's trees. Trees also produce immense shade over the forest ground, so lower plants and organisms will suffer from the increase of sun exposure. In this battle against climate change, the accumulation of all of these factors only speeds up that process.

What can be done?
Policy change is the greatest, but most difficult action that could majorly decrease the amount of deforestation that we see across the globe. Because deforestation is mainly the result of whole industries, it is often difficult for individual actions to make a great difference. However, calling politicians and industry leaders to action in masses and large activist groups create interest groups which in turn influence policy change.