Deforestation, Natural Disasters and Humans Haiti: Where have all the trees gone?

What is deforestation? Photo: Nick Hobgood via FlickrPhoto: Trees for the Future via Flickr The act or process of clearing forests.clearing

Haiti Mountainous – prone to landslides 22% decline in forest cover since 1990; had already cleared 99.2% of original forest One of the most deforested countries in the world Poorest country in Western Hemisphere - 50% live on $1 a day

Photograph courtesy NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio Left side = Haiti Right side = Dominican Republic

Group exploration of articles

“Hurricanes deepen misery in poorest corners of Latin America” – The Canadian Press CAUSE Hurricane EFFECT Flood and destruction of poor areas Poor areas were not able to rebuild Caused more than $7 billion US in Central America in damages mudslides, flooding loss of homes SOLUTIONS Do what we can to stop global warming, stop deforestation Struggling areas replace buildings, roads, and drainage systems with more modern infrastructure Other comments/key points:

“Haiti: In Need of Trees” – American Forests CAUSE Deforestation due to economics EFFECT Flooding Erosion No trees to shelter/heat homes Mudslides Charcoal Less nutrients in soil SOLUTIONS Reforest Natural preservation Build dams/dykes Peacekeeping force to stop deforestation Other comments/key points: million trees are cut down in Haiti each year. The organization USAID has reforested 60 million trees in the last 20 years, that’s a loss of around 200 million trees over the past 20 years.

“Red Cross assists aid distribution in Haiti” – Marko Kokic CAUSE Flooding Rivers overflowing Landslides No Trees EFFECT Survivors have lost all their worldly possessions Homes have been destroyed Roads blocked off, so harder to get to villages Destruction of the crops and livestock Contaminated water SOLUTIONS People used remaining wood and materials from their homes to make temporary shelters Provided water tablets to purify existing water sources Making wells useable with watermaker by the debris from the water Red Cross movement – temporary warehouse for food delivered Other comments/key points:

“UN troops struggle in Haitian Aid Effort” – Winnipeg Free Press CAUSE Tropical Storm Jeanne that hit Haiti in EFFECT It cut power, killed 1,500 people and left people homeless, as well as turning roads into rivers and creating food shortages, resulting in Haitians fighting over remaining food stores. Many people are sick with sub-par medical care, some even have gangreene SOLUTIONS The U.N are bringing in food and setting up clinics but are being attacked, the U.N. needs more troops,l they called for over double the 3000 troops already stationed. They also need to use the Haitian National Police to assist in aid efforts and restoring order. Other comments/key points:

“After the earthquake: Haiti's deforestation needs attention” – Moises Velasquez-Manoff CAUSE Wood is used for cooking Fires. Harvestings wood to produce charcoal, which is a main source of income. EFFECT Mudslides and widespread erosion. Less moisture makes it difficult for plants to grow. Animals leave and sometimes die. SOLUTIONS The Jatropha tree can be used to make biofuels and oils which can be used to cook with. Briquettes can be made from recycled paper. Create new job opportunities. Other comments/key points: When a storm hit Hispaniola in 2004, the death toll was relatively low in the Dominican, but it was more than 3000 in Haiti.

“A Tree Grows in Haiti” -Jeneen Interlandi CAUSE The city of Gonaives is surrounded by treeless mountains so water sloshes freely downward. Rampant Deforestation Haitians were burning 30 million trees’ worth of charcoal annually. Earthquake Disturbed massive amounts of rock and soil. EFFECT Immense amounts of water causes mudslides that destroy homes, crops and likelihoods. Natural disasters, food shortage and poverty. Soil eroded, crop yields shrank and floods become more severe. Millions of Haitians still live in makeshift tent cities. 55% chance of above average rainfall this season. SOLUTIONS Plant as many trees as possible. By absorbing water and holding soil in place, trees can minimize impact of natural disasters. Other comments/key points: Biggest modern contributions to Haiti’s deforestation are the food and fuel needs of Haitians themselves. As the population grew rural Haitians were forced to clear more and more forests for subsistence crops.

Causes of Deforestation in Haiti Population growth Photo: melindayiti via Flickr Topography Weather Poverty

Possible Causes Population increase Slash and Burn Commercial Logging Cash Crops Subsistence living Political upheaval Cheap fuel source US Oil Embargo Possible Effects Species Problems Soil erosion Flooding and Landslides Climate Change Air pollution Loss of tourism dollars Destruction of fishing industry Poor soil Economic instability Hunger

Possible Solutions Tree planting Photo: Trees for the Future photostream via Flickr Alternative energy Foreign investment Political stability Foreign government aid Grafting fruit trees