Preventing Rainforest Destruction
Suggested by: Janet Schlarbaum
By Wendy Pan
An acre of rainforest is lost every second. That is a huge amount and this deforestation is contributing to climate change for the world. Many of the people who are physically responsible for the logging that takes place in the forests are dependent upon the trade for their livelihood. They feel, in many cases, that it is the only option available to them if they wish to support and feed their families. All too often they are kept in the dark regarding the damage that their work is causing. The task of preventing rain forest destruction is not their responsibility and we must not lay the blame at their feet.
Much of the clearing of the rain forest is to satisfy the Western appetite for commercial gain and economy. Reasoning for rain forest clearance is not confined to the harvesting of the trees for their wood. Many areas are cleared so that the land may be used for pasture for the rearing of cattle. This is the case in some areas of Central America such as Costa Rica. In Central America a quarter of the forests have been cleared in order to raise cattle. Much of the meat produced in this way will be for the fast food market and will be used for the manufacture of hamburgers. Facts such as this are rarely considered but if we are to have any strength in preventing rain forest destruction we must make everyone aware of these aspects.
Obviously one of the main reasons for the felling of trees is for the wood. Woods such as ebony, mahogany, rosewood and teak are all rainforest products. Any furniture made of these woods could easily be substituted for pieces made using wood from sustainable sources. There are many other woods available which are now grown for the purpose of non-invasive felling. These are replaced as they are harvested and the balance retained. Sensible purchasing of furniture with a little bit of thought and consideration could go a long way to preventing rain forest destruction throughout the world.
Worldwide boycotts of uncaringly produced consumer goods would aid the battle to a tremendous extent. If we could stop buying burgers from unknown sources and only support responsible farming practices we could end the clearing of many forest areas. If we could limit our furniture buying to items that are made from wood which has been grown in forests where a plan of sustainable forestation and regeneration is practiced then we would help in preventing rain forest destruction.
It is not always easy to know the source and method of production of all the consumer goods that we buy. There may be a great many companies who are responsible for some practices which are detrimental to forest conservation and without running a complete check on each company we are not to know. However, if we want to stand a chance of preventing rain forest destruction we must at least pay heed to the facts that we know and not be complacent in addressing the situation. Every little action helps and every individual boycott of goods and services that we feel may be contributing to deforestation will add up and make the future for the world a little more secure.
Janet Schlarbaum Climate Change
Tags: Janet Schlarbaum, Janet Schlarbaum Climate Change
January 10 2009 10:25 am | Janet Schlarbaum and Mark Schlarbaum and Schlarbaum Capital Management