Deforestation, Introduction

Mother Earth is undergoing an environmental upheaval as never seen before. The unprecedented number of people bearing down on earth has greatly affected the environment of our planet. Whether we are rich or poor, developed or underdeveloped nations, we are all together for better or for worse for the well-being of this planet.

Of all the problems besieging the planet, rampant deforestation is probably the single most important problem we face today. The ecological problems directly and indirectly connected with deforestation are numerous and require immediate remedies. Global warming and loss of biodiversity are two problems of universal ramification for mankind that need to be resolved if mankind is to continue to exist for the next thousand years.

After air, water, and food, trees are the most important natural resources that mankind need. Otherwise, God would not have created trees in the third day of the creation story in preparation for man’s beginnings and existence. It is also one of the most important renewable resources that will serve mankind for eons if we only learn to respect the role they play in our lives. Since men first walked on the planet, he was surrounded by trees with all their fruits and wildlife for his benefit. For centuries, it has provided mankind with all the resources necessary for him to survive the harsh climate. With so much of our forests lost to human needs and greed, it is necessary for us to change the way we appreciate the immense value of trees.

All the wealth of the nations around the world is found in their natural resources. They could be the under the sea, under the sand, under the forests and over the top of the land surfaces. Without these resources, civilizations would not have advanced to this point in time. Except for the food from the sea and the forests on the land, all the other natural resources are considered nonrenewable. Yet, at the rate we are exploiting some of these resources they too would become nonrenewable and even extinct.

According to a World Bank report in 2001, “Forest resources directly contribute to the livelihoods of 90% of the 1.2 billion people living in extreme poverty and indirectly support the natural environment that nourishes agriculture and supplies food to nearly half the population of the developing world. Forests are also central to growth in many developing countries through trade and industrial development. However, mismanagement of this resource has cost governments revenues that exceeded World Bank loans to these countries. Illegal logging results in additional losses of at least US$10 to 15 billion per year of forest resources from public lands. If retrieved by governments, these losses could support expenditures in education and health that would exceed current development assistance to these sectors.”

The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) report of 2001 essentially gives the same assessment. “In spite of the noble intentions expressed repeatedly and variously, actual achievements have been disappointing, evidenced by the current situation in the forestry sector: illegal logging and encroachments; continuing and increasing deforestation and land degradation; loss of bio-diversity; increasing occurrence of forest fires; denudation of watersheds; truncated parks and protected areas; failure of forest plantations; unprofitable investments; indifference of concessionaires to sustain forest management.”

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported in 2001 that “In many countries, illegal operations proliferate and governments are unable to control their own bureaucracies or to enforce adherence to the ‘rules of the game’ by commercial corporations and civil society entities. In extreme circumstances, private corporations or powerful groups are able to sway government policies and ‘purchase’ decrees, legislation and regulations for their own benefit.”

Greed and poverty are behind the destruction of the world’s remaining forests. The world has already lost 80% of its original ancient forest cover and the twin factors continue to play out its ugly roles. The insatiable demand of humanity, especially those powered by the economic growth of many countries and the greed of many companies and concessionaires are expected to continue the road to destruction. Calls on them to stop the destruction are met with promises that are never carried out. If actions are ever undertaken, it is only halfheartedly done to show a semblance of compliance.  

Poverty has driven many to seek their fortunes in the forests. Some practice slash-and-burn while others try to eke out their livelihood by small-scale mining in the hope of striking it rich. But more often than not, they end up with nothing to show but sufferings and ill-health for all their efforts. The same is true for all the workers in the forestry sector. They toil long hours under difficult hardship only to enrich the concessionaires who stay in their air-conditioned offices in the cities.

The poor indigenous people have lost most of their livelihood and are forced to turn to swidden cultivation to survive. As their ancestral lands are taken over by greedy government bureaucrats and given away to domestic and multinational companies, their only recourse was to fight a losing battle.

There have been some effective actions undertaken mostly by the NGOs. It is doubtful if it will put a dent against the destructive forces now in place and deeply entrenched. The only way to stop the greedy scums is to legislate stiffer laws against illegal poaching and even wanton destruction of forestlands by licensed loggers and impose on them the ultimate death penalty and carry it out without delay. It is often the fear of death that can force a greedy person to act rationally.

In this book I have tried to set down the many causes of deforestation, the consequences of what will happen if we fail to act to protect the trees and enact measures to minimize the problems.