Global warming and its adverse effects are making headlines all over the world; we’re already seeing some of the consequences like climate changes and an increased number of natural disasters like hurricanes and tidal waves. Those who care about the environment are doing their part to raise awareness about this danger, not just for the future generations to come, but for the present day humankind as well. Deforestation is one environmental aspect that hasn’t received the amount of publicity it deserves – man is rapidly destroying the greenery that nature has provided in order to make way for concrete jungles. The consequences of wiping out forests and cutting trees are more deadly than we imagine, because deforestation:

    * Destroys entire species: Millions of animals, birds and insects make their home in forests, and by cutting down trees and wiping out entire forests indiscriminately in the quest for modernization, we are contributing to the rapid extinction of a variety of species.
    * Increases pollution: Trees are a blessing in more ways than one – they take in carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the air and make it cleaner for us to breathe. By destroying trees, we’re adding to our air pollution woes in a big way.
    * Decreases the amount of rainfall we receive: Rainfall is the only way of replenishing our natural water resources, and trees determine the rainfall in a particular region. If they no linger exist, then drought sets in, bringing with it its own set of problems.
    * Increases temperature: Trees replenish the atmosphere with water and help in the formation of clouds that help cool the earth. They prevent temperatures from rising by regulating the climate of a region.
    * Erodes the soil and its nutrients: The roots of trees are instrumental in holding the soil together and preserving the nutrients and microorganisms that make the land fertile. By cutting down trees, we’re dooming ourselves to a future that’s going to be plagued by landslides, floods and erosion.
    * Pollutes and/or destroys water resources: Slash and burn methods of deforestation involve cutting down trees and then burning the residue. This process not only destroys the soil and strips it of all nutrients, but also ends up polluting rivers, streams, ponds and other natural water resources in the vicinity.

Population explosion, the need for adequate living space, and the extension of cities have contributed in a large way to deforestation. And therefore, to address this environmental issue effectively, we need to take care of the roots of the problem first. Environmentalists are doing all they can to encourage people to plant more trees to replace the ones that are being cut. But the sad and simple fact is that while it takes just a few minutes to cut down a full-grown tree, it takes years to grow one that’s just as big. The question that we need to answer then is this – are we doing enough to repair the damage caused by deforestation, or is time running out for the Earth? 

Last year, one could hardly navigate the internet without running into an article about “green living” or any number of variations on the green theme.  Before the economy started to head south, consumers were beginning to see the necessity of creating a better way of doing things by supporting eco-friendly and sustainable endeavors.  Companies that care were the focal point of many changelings.

Since that point in time, however, much has changed in the economic climate.  Supporting and using green products is becoming increasingly more difficult when money is tight and consumers are beginning to turn back to their old ways.  What can be done to combat this shift in attitude?

In the last few months, we have seen gas prices drop to the lowest level since before the Bush Administration.  While many variables attributed to this much-needed shift, a large part of the credit goes to the American consumer.  When gas was unaffordable, people stopped traveling, only used what they needed, and began moving toward more efficient automobiles.  

The same can be done with sustainable goods.  As a matter of fact, the prices of organic and sustainable goods have dropped because more of these goods are now being produced—a direct correlation to the increasing demand for these kinds of products on the marketplace.

Although the government has helped sponsor certain initiatives to help promote and reward sustainability and decreasing carbon footprints, a more aggressive approach to these goals could certainly help jumpstart our ravaged economy.  Working toward sustainability in various markets and retrofitting various industrial polluters to reduce emissions could create jobs and help focus on the importance of making these changes before it is too late.

Sustainability is at the heart of the issue these days; without the ability to sustain our environment and work toward making things better for the future, how will we continue?  Promoting green methods and offering incentives for making the green shift will do better for our economy, our workforce, and our overall quality of life.  

Our collective mindset on all things green was finally starting to change for the better last year.  We need to continue supporting those who seek to make our world a more sustainable place and work together towards making that goal a reality.