Environmental Stewardship of Deforestation Essay
Environmental stewardship refers to the act of protecting and conserving the environment. According to Aldo Leopold, environmental stewardship is promoted through the improvement of the relationship between humans and the environment (Sauve, 2010). It includes activities that improve and conserve the environment.
On the other hand, environmental sustainability involves making decisions that and protection of the environment. Also, it involves taking part in activities that improve the capability of the environment to support life (Sauve, 2010). Both aspects are aimed at reducing the negative impacts that degrade the environment. Environmental stewardship and sustainability are important because conserve vacation and sustenance of the environment is important to support the rapidly growing global population.
Deforestation refers to the act of cutting trees for industrial and domestic use (Sauve, 2010). Destruction of the Amazon forest is one of the problems environmental conservationists are experiencing today. Deforestation is the main cause of Amazon Rainforests destruction.
It is caused by rising demand for agricultural land, need for firewood, need for land to build factories and businesses, and need for timber. Since it is difficult to control the rate of population growth, it is important to conserve the environment. Negative effects of deforestation include soil erosion, destruction of habitats, and global warming.
Deforestation causes soil erosion because it exposes soil to wind and water. Soil erosion has negative effects such as low productivity and destruction of plants and soil microorganisms (Sauve, 2010). Also, trees act as windbreakers. Therefore, they by lowering the speed of the wind. Deforestation exposes soil to the strong wind that carries soil away. When soil is carried away, nutrients that nourish plants and trees in the forest become unavailable.
Deforestation is a major cause of global warming. Trees play a vital role in maintaining balance by regulating energy and nutrient cycles. Deforestation leads to the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. As a result, the gas absorbs radiation waves from the sun, which are not released into the atmosphere after bouncing off the earth surface.
This phenomenon is referred to as the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect causes global warming because trapped radiation is converted to heat energy, which (Sauve, 2010). High temperatures cause global warming.
Deforestation also destroys habitats. The Amazon Rainforest is home to many animals. Also, it is a source of food for animals. Deforestation kills animals because it destroys their food and shelter. Animals such as lions, elephants, and buffaloes live in the Amazon forest. Deforestation leads to immigration or the death of these animals due to the unavailability of food and shelter. Other animals migrate to favorable habitats.
The Amazon Rainforest can be conserved through wise use of available resources. For example, tree planting should be encouraged. Softwood trees that have should be planted to ensure that tree population is maintained despite the use of trees for economic gains (Sauve, 2010). Also, access to the Amazon forest should be restricted. Activities such as research should be allowed on a small scale.
For example, medicinal trees could be used for research purposes. Laws should be enacted to eradicate deforestation. These laws should include rules and regulations to guide the use of the forest for purposes that pose a threat to environmental sustainability and conservation. It is possible to use the Amazon Rainforest and at the same time, ensure its sustainability and conservation.
