Deforestation Is Destroying Our Forests

Over the past few weeks, the news and social media have been flooded with startling images and facts about our beautiful Amazon Rainforest. It's no secret that it's in serious danger. Of course, we have faced deforestation before, it seems like a constant battle, similar to global warming. However, the deforestation rate of the Amazon right now is higher than it has ever been in 11 years.

This past year has been one of the worst for the Amazon. In an article by Alaa Elassar, a CNN reporter, she tells us rates haven't been this high since 2008, and that in the past 12 months or so we have lost roughly 3,769 square miles of the Amazon Rainforest.

Elassar tells us that the Brazilian Environment Minister, Ricardo Sales claims that illegal activities, such as cattle grazing, agriculture, wood extraction and trade, and illegal mining, are adding to these high rates.

She also adds the minister tells us Brazil needs "a sustainable economy alternative for that region of the Amazon" to unsure deforestation rates go down because many people depend on the illegal activities adding to the deforestation to get by.

Although the Amazon is in dire need, it has a reputation that brings it more attention than other areas. The beautiful rainforest isn't the only place struggling against deforestation, and we can't let them sit in the Amazon's shadow until it's too late.

If we take a look at Canada's forests, specifically located in northwestern Ontario, there are what appear to be "gashes" in the forest. In an article by Ivan Semeniuk, he tells us these are called "logging scars". He says they go unnoticed for the most part because you need a bird's eye view to see these harmful bare patches.

Photo of logging scars taken by Trevor Hesselink using a drone

Semeniuk tells us that 10.2% to 23.7% of the area said to be restored after logging and deforestation is actually logging scars and open areas. These areas are being overlooked and data would suggest the forest is fine when in reality it is far from being fully restored and still suffers from these scars that can last for decades.

The article also says because these areas are counted for as forest, harvesting of wood continues because based on the facts the Ontario government releases, cutting down a reasonable amount of trees from their forests isn't harmful. However, because the thought amount of forest is inaccurate, cutting down trees is very harmful. These scars have not had enough time or attention to grow back and proceeding to chop down the forest is only going to make the condition of these beautiful woods worse and worse. 

Photo was taken by Trevor Hesselink of continued logging and wasted trees preventing new growth

Ivan Semeniuk mentions that this deforestation is also effecting not just the forest itself, but the animals who depend on the forest. He tells us animals like the woodland caribou are at risk of being put on the endangered species list, and depend on dense woods to survive. If these animals don't have a sufficient place to live, how are they expected to survive?

Once we can stop the destruction of these beautiful areas, the amazing Amazon Rainforest, and the underappreciated woods of Canada, we can take appropriate actions to acknowledge the problems and restore them to what they used to be. Planting new trees, and reducing signs of human presence is key to helping these forests. 

"Creative Common Photos of Amazon Rainforest." Photos for Class, www.photosforclass.com/search?text=amazon+rainforest.

Elassar, Alaa. "Amazon Deforestation Rate Hits Highest Level in over a Decade." CNN News, 19 Nov. 2019, www.cnn.com/2019/11/19/americas/brazil-deforestation-amazon-2019-trnd/index.html.

Hesselink, Trevor. "Images." The Globe and Mail, www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-logging-scars-show-impact-of-deforestation-in-canada-is-worse-than/#c-image-0.

Semeniuk, Ivan. "'Logging Scars' Show Impact of Deforestation in Canada Is Worse than We Know, Research Finds." The Globe and Mail, 3 Dec. 2019, www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-logging-scars-show-impact-of-deforestation-in-canada-is-worse-than/#c-image-0.

Rivers Are Running out of Clean Water

What if I told you the clothes you are wearing helped contribute to water pollution? You'd probably ask me, how can that be? An article by Johnny Vatican states that it takes 7,000 liters of water to produce one pair of jeans. He also tells us that the fashion industry is the second most polluting industry, oil being the first.

Globally, water pollution is a major problem. Vatican tells us that over half a trillion gallons of fresh drinkable water are used a year to dye clothing and fabrics around the world. He says dyeing clothing uses many harmful chemicals that contaminate the water used, which is then dumped into lakes, rivers, streams, and more, contributing to 20% of industrial water pollution globally.

The chemicals used to dye your pink shirt in that top drawer at home are more harmful than you think. Not only are chemicals being put into the environment, but some of these chemicals are known to be able to cause cancer. Johnny Vatican includes in his article that chronic exposure to dye chemicals have been linked to cancer and hormone disruption in both humans and animals. He continues to say Azo dyes are some of the most commonly used dyes, yet the most toxic and can cause cancer.

Often times global issues, in this case water pollution, don't seem relevant when they don't directly effect us personally, however water pollution is more present in our lives then we think. On November 14th, the Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce held a Southern N.H. Water Forum. An article by Julie Huss explains the meeting.

Huss tells us Jim Ricker, a speaker at the forum, provided data on water sources in New Hampshire, and said that many public and private water supplies are contaminated. He explains illegal dumping, and even things like farms and apple orchards that use pesticides are cause to some of these contaminations. However Ricker says some of the polluted water is naturally occurring, like high arsenic levels due to the type of bedrock in the ground, which can be seen in Salem and Windham New Hampshire.

Mindi Messmer, another person present, shared information about particularly high numbers of children with pediatric cancer in the seacoast area. She said this is cause of a combination of things, but water pollution being a big one. She says children are more susceptible to harmful components contaminating the water we drink.

The problem of water pollution is closer to home then we thought, and luckily we have people in our community taking action, such as those who attended this forum, but who is going to step up to the plate and help the world? So many people are without clean drinking water and just because it's not us struggling, it doesn't mean we can't take action.

Works Cited

"Creative Common Photos of Water Pollution ." Photos for Class,
www.photosforclass.com/search?text=water+pollution.

Huss, Julie. "Southern NH Water Issues Center Stage at Forum." The Eagle-Tribune, 14 Nov. 2019,
www.eagletribune.com/news/southern-nh-water-issues-center-stage-at-forum/article_
eabee0f8-9aaf-532a-9e6a-56aeeb965bdd.html.

Vatican, Johnny. "Clothing Industry A Big Contributor To Global Water Pollution."
Medical Daily, 6 Nov. 2019, www.medicaldaily.com/clothing-industry-big-contributor-
global-water-pollution-445402.