Dictionary.com states deforestation is, “the clearing or severe thinning of a forest or other wooded areas, leaving few or no trees.” Not only has deforestation been the cause of higher levels of carbon dioxide but it’s also caused landscapes to be greatly altered all over the world. 

Deforestation is also affecting the temperature of our planet which is causing extreme global warming. Dictionary.com defines global warming as, “An increase in the earth’s average atmospheric temperature that causes corresponding changes in climate and that may result from the greenhouse effect.” Which is caused by high levels of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and other pollutants.

The reason that deforestation has such a big impact on carbon dioxide levels rising is because trees take in carbon dioxide for them to survive, and then they produce oxygen for us to breathe. Deforestation is harmful to humans as well because of the lack of oxygen in the atmosphere for us to breathe. 

Deforestation isn’t just affecting the atmosphere and humans, but it’s also affecting the wildlife in those areas. It’s limiting the sometimes already small habitats that species have left. Some wildlife need specific conditions to live in, and if they don’t have those specific conditions then the species might start to die out. 

Vermont Woods Studios says, “Mountain Gorillas are dying out due to deforestation… due to new infrastructure and buildings being made, the gorillas are being forced to live in higher elevations for extensive periods of time… they can only stay at high elevation climates for a short period of time.”

So what can we do to help reduce and prevent deforestation? Green Tumble says, “use less paper, recycle paper and cardboard that we use, try not to burn firewood an unreasonable amount, and try to help spread awareness of deforestation. 

By educating people about how the actions they take affect the environment, could possibly help decrease deforestation over time. Something we as students can do is support organizations that help to fight against deforestation. Some organizations that help fight against deforestation are Greenpeace, World Wildlife Fund, Amazon Watch, etc. are just a few organizations that want to help reduce deforestation.