Amasi Hamed

Introduction  Everyday forests all around the world are disappearing.  People are cutting trees down and harvesting them just to meet their needs.  They are also using them for furniture and musical instruments. If forests are left alone to regrow after being cut down they can be a renewable resource.  Not all forest can be renewable because trees in old-growth forests, such as rain forests are very old.  These forests take thousands of years to grow and develop ecosystems. It is not sustainable to harvest those trees because it would take a long time for those trees, if they are able to regrow.  Even though this is happening people have not stopped harvesting trees.

Social Impacts of Deforestation  Forestry is a very important industry in many countries.  Forestry makes al lot of dollars in revenue worldwide  Its provides lots of jobs for people around the world  However it effects people who rely on the forests near them for survival.  Deforestation can also affect historical sites.

Small-Scale Farmers  People who live near forests are effected by deforestation.  They lose connection to forest resources such as fuel and some food sources.  Due to erosion the livelihood of farmers is at risk as soil becomes degraded.  In some locations lots soil has been lost that the land can no longer produce.  Many farmers must move to other locations

Indigenous people Resource development and deforestation have affected many indigenous people around the world. For example, the Penan people of Sarawak, Malaysia. These people depend on the plants and animals in the forest for shelter,food, and medicine. The Malaysian government says that the forests are being managed sustainably but the Penan people and lots of researches do not agree. Penan people may have to relocate and lose their way of living if deforestation continues.

Historical sites Historical significance that are located can also be affected by deforestation one example is in sweden. The economy relies a lot on forestry. Do to this the government supports the sustainable use of forests. Although ruins of ancient settlements have been discovered in the forests. Many swedish people want to protect the ruins. In 2004, an archaeologist was employed to locate all the historical sites on Sweden's forests. The sites were then outlined on a map using a GPS coordinates, Finally people who use the forests from tourists to forestry countries are able to access the information and make sure that these sites are protected

Protecting our Forests To protect many forests around the world, many local, national, and international organizations on protecting many forests around the world.

Organizations that care Their are lots of environmental organizations that take action against deforestation. One example, is the forest stewardship council (FSC) which is similar to the Marine Stewardship council (MSC)but its is forest instead of oceans. The (FSC) certifies paper and wood products that meet their standards of social and environmental protection. The standards seek to insure that trees are properly harvested and replanted. Also, it asks that forestry processes respect the rights of indigenous people.

Individual Action We can also help reduce deforestation and its impacts. In fact their are many ways to do that such as planting trees, reduce, reuse, and recycle our paper products. By recycling we can reduce the amount of trees being cut down to make paper. We can also refuse delivery flyer and catalogue instead we can read online. Instead of gift paper we can use reusable gift bags. There are many ways we can help.