Question

In order to meet the ever-increasing demand in factories and for shelter, trees are being continually cut. Is it justified to cut trees for such projects? Discuss and prepare a brief report.

Answer 1

With increasing industrialisation and overpopulation, the demand for construction materials, paper, furniture and clothing (rayon) has skyrocketed, leading to more significant tree felling. Large sections of forest are also destroyed to make way for houses, agriculture, and industry. These actions pose a significant threat to the ecosystem. The major environmental effects are as follows:

1. Change in the natural elements of soil: Trees keep soil particles together. When trees are removed from the soil, erosion increases. Wind and water can readily wash away the top soil, causing the soil to lose its fertility. Over time, the land becomes desolate. The rich land gradually becomes a desert. This process is known as desertification.
2. Reduced rainfall: The loss of plant life affects the water cycle. The area receives less and less rain, disturbing the balanced state of the environment.
3. Imbalance of atmospheric gases: Carbon dioxide generated by plants and animals during respiration is absorbed by plants and used for photosynthesis, which, in turn, releases oxygen. Deforestation generates an imbalance in the atmosphere, increasing the quantity of carbon dioxide.
4. Climate changes: Increased carbon dioxide concentration causes an increase in temperature, known as the greenhouse effect, which results in global warming. Scientists have reported widespread climatic shifts, which have sparked global concern.
5. Natural calamities: Soil erosion causes the earth to become dry and fragile, increasing the risk of landslides. When rainwater is not absorbed, it might produce flooding.
6. Scarcity of products: We have grown so used to having a wide range of things made from wood or plants that we are unaware these products may soon be in short supply. Alternatives should be identified before the condition improves.
7. Degradation of habitat: The forest is home to millions of organisms, birds, and animals. The loss of flora directly impacts the area's fauna, as they are interdependent.