Forests
absorb a lot of sunlight for photosynthesis, and only about 12 to 15% is
reflected. The large amounts of energy absorbed by forests acts to stimulate
convection currents in air which enhance the production of rainfall. Tropical
rainforests in particular are very wet and humid places. Deforested areas, by
contrast, reflect about 20% of incoming sunlight. Deforested areas
consequently, can become drier as a result of the loss of vegetation,
increasing the risk of desertification. As the area of deforestation increases,
so the impact on climate grows.
absorb a lot of sunlight for photosynthesis, and only about 12 to 15% is
reflected. The large amounts of energy absorbed by forests acts to stimulate
convection currents in air which enhance the production of rainfall. Tropical
rainforests in particular are very wet and humid places. Deforested areas, by
contrast, reflect about 20% of incoming sunlight. Deforested areas
consequently, can become drier as a result of the loss of vegetation,
increasing the risk of desertification. As the area of deforestation increases,
so the impact on climate grows.
Trees
also absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for photosynthesis, and
therefore help to regulate the natural greenhouse effect. Deforestation takes
away a potential sink for the carbon dioxide mankind is pumping into the
atmosphere. In addition, if forests are removed by burning, a lot of extra
carbon dioxide locked up in tree wood is returned to the atmosphere.
Global
warming is the result of the troposphere trapping heat causing a greenhouse
effect. Studies have shown that the rise in CO2 has a direct relationship with temperatures
rising on earth. CO2 and other greenhouse gas is produced by,
burning of fossil fuels (coal,oil), transportation, deforestation practices,
agricultural practices (cattle and rice farming). The results from global
warming could prove to be catastrophic to our environment.
warming is the result of the troposphere trapping heat causing a greenhouse
effect. Studies have shown that the rise in CO2 has a direct relationship with temperatures
rising on earth. CO2 and other greenhouse gas is produced by,
burning of fossil fuels (coal,oil), transportation, deforestation practices,
agricultural practices (cattle and rice farming). The results from global
warming could prove to be catastrophic to our environment.
The
Ozone layer is a thin layer in the atmosphere made up of oxygen atoms that
absorb harmful ultraviolet radiation (UV-B) from reaching the earths surface.
The ozone is being depleted by chemicals released into the atmosphere like
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), carbon tetraflouride, methyl chloroforms,
chlorofluoromethanes (aerosol repellents and as refrigerants) which are released
into the atmosphere as a result of deforestation. The problem is when CFC’s
reach the ozone layer, it is broken down by the UV -B rays and it is these free
chlorine atoms that do the damage to the ozone. One free chlorine atom will
destroy 100,000 ozone molecules before it dies off.
Ozone layer is a thin layer in the atmosphere made up of oxygen atoms that
absorb harmful ultraviolet radiation (UV-B) from reaching the earths surface.
The ozone is being depleted by chemicals released into the atmosphere like
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), carbon tetraflouride, methyl chloroforms,
chlorofluoromethanes (aerosol repellents and as refrigerants) which are released
into the atmosphere as a result of deforestation. The problem is when CFC’s
reach the ozone layer, it is broken down by the UV -B rays and it is these free
chlorine atoms that do the damage to the ozone. One free chlorine atom will
destroy 100,000 ozone molecules before it dies off.
Forests
cover about 30% of the world’s land area, but a good proportion of this is lost
every year due to deforestation. If we continue at our current rate of
deforestation there will be no more rainforests in 100 years.
cover about 30% of the world’s land area, but a good proportion of this is lost
every year due to deforestation. If we continue at our current rate of
deforestation there will be no more rainforests in 100 years.
Forests
serve many purposes; 70% of Earth’s animals and plants live in forests, trees
serve a crucial role in the water cycle by returning water vapour back into the
atmosphere, trees keep forest soil moist by blocking the sun, and most
importantly—trees absorb the greenhouse gases that fuel global warming.
serve many purposes; 70% of Earth’s animals and plants live in forests, trees
serve a crucial role in the water cycle by returning water vapour back into the
atmosphere, trees keep forest soil moist by blocking the sun, and most
importantly—trees absorb the greenhouse gases that fuel global warming.
Deforestation and land use change contribute
approximately 20 to 25 percent of the carbon emissions that cause climate
change.
approximately 20 to 25 percent of the carbon emissions that cause climate
change.