Latest Earth Related Forum Topics:

  • Good way to recycle books? (18 posts)
  • Gas prices and our Energy Crisis? (6 posts)
  • Can you give some good ecological ideas on how to deodorize a house? (6 posts)
  • why isnt there more research in magnets,its endless energy??? (5 posts)
  • is the sun burning out???its so cold in the north east..? (10 posts)
  • What type of nuclear energy is being used at nuclear power plants today? (4 posts)
  • STD's causing global warming? (14 posts)
  • do you beleive in global warming? (23 posts)
  • how can i help the world? (11 posts)
  • Wheres the logic? (11 posts)
  • Can anyone help with recycling household water? (13 posts)
  • fuel producing crops? (4 posts)
  • If your community had a town hall meeting addressing global climate change, would you go? (13 posts)
  • Are party balloons recyclable? (2 posts)
  • Is global warming becoming a global scapegoat? (11 posts)
    		•

     

    How Illegal Logging Is Devastating Our Forests

    Forests around the world are in serious crisis. The habitats that animals and indigenous tribes call home are being destroyed at a very alarming rate, most of them illegally. Illegal logging and deforestation practices are changing the ecosystem in which we all live. Life cycles of plants and animals are being forcibly changed and the animals that depend on the forests for shelter and food have to move to other locations just to survive. In fact, the debate has been raised whether or not the supposed increasing deer population is really a matter of an increase in population or not. This is a legitimate question. As we continue to clear out forests to make room for strip malls, retail outlets and housing developments, we are clearing out their homes. Where else are these animals supposed to go? This is why they end up in the backyards of so many Americans. Shouldn't we be to blame?

    In some parts of the Amazon in 2003, the deforestation rate was the second highest ever recorded at 26,130 square kilometers. Sadly, some figures conclude that over 1.6 billion people depend on the forests for their livelihood and 60 million for their subsistence.

    Southwest Asia in particular, is seeing illegal logging at devastating rates. The wildlife that call the islands of Sumatra and Borneo home could be facing extinction if something is not done right away. In fact, some numbers show that at the current rate of destruction, 98% of the remaining forestation could be gone on those islands by 2022. Orangutans in particular are facing the biggest threat in these areas. Between poaching, logging and forest fires, a species that once numbered in the hundreds of thousands is one of the most endangered species in the world today.

    There are many reasons for the illegal deforestation around the world. The money obtained from the illegal logging is used to fund wars, money laundering and other organized crime activities. Unfortunately, the problem stems from weak governing over the timber trade. Neither the US or Japan has laws prohibiting the import of illegally logged timber. All this does is allow theses companies to boost profits and continue destroying our precious forests.

    So, what can you do about it? When it comes down to it, the problem must be addressed by the current administration. Get involved with Greenpeace, or go to sites such as thepetitionsite.com and make your voice known. It is up to federal governments throughout the world to stand up and stop accepting the illegally logged timbers. As long as countries continue to provide revenue to these companies, the illegal logging will continue.

    One program started to stop the illegal logging in Indonesia, uses a bar code system, a system that the United States knows quite well. The program, funded by The Home Depot and the US and British Agencies for International Development, has been very successful thus far. It works by using computerized bar codes on timber coming in from the country. It is a tracking device that helps ensure that the timber was logged legally. These bar code tags will give timber a virtual fingerprint and is unique to the log it is attached to. The tag gives specific information, including exactly where it came from. Being that 75% of Indonesia's logging practices are of the illegal nature, a tracking measure is the only way to ensure that the United States and other countries alike, are not accepting illegal timber. The whole point of such a measure is to let logging companies know that the consumer will know the difference between legal and illegal timber. This has and will continue to force illegal logging companies to comply with the legal practices already in place.

    Sponsored Ads:

    Related Articles:

    Alternative Fuel / Alternative Hydrogen Fuel Made On Site
    Global Warming / Conservation And Environmentalism - Almost The Same?
    Global Warming / Lassoing The Wind To Power The World
    Alternative Fuel / Fuel Cell Vehicles
    Global Warming / The Effect Of Deforestation In Our World
    Global Warming / An Overview Of The Endangered Species List And How You Can Help
    Global Warming / Great Ideas To Get Your Kids On A Permanent Earth Friendly Kick
    Global Warming / Outlining Natural Building Materials And Techniques
    Alternative Fuel / Goverment Grants For Alternative Fuel
    Global Warming / A Look Into Environmentally Friendly Biofuels
    Global Warming / Bamboo Flooring - Environmentalism Begins In The Home
    Global Warming / Make A Difference - Study Environmental Science
    Alternative Fuel / Direct Methanol Fuel Cell
    Global Warming / Global Warming-A Brief Primer
    Global Warming / Environmental Reasons Not To Drill In Alaska

    Also In This Category:

    Global Warming
    - Finding Out More About The Friends Of The Earth
    - Outlining Natural Building Materials And Techniques
    - Environmental Reasons Not To Drill In Alaska
    - What The Sierra Club Is Doing To Make A Difference
    - Defining The Forest Stewardship Council'S Role
    - The Brownfields Problem And Its Impact On The Environment
    - Saving Your Own Little Corner Of The World Through Composting
    - Recycling - Enough To Protect The Environment?
    - The Disadvantages Of Intensive Farming
    - An Overview Of The Endangered Species List And How You Can Help
    - The Environmental Future Of Hybrid Cars
    - Profiling The Typical Environmentalist
    - Smoky Bear - An Icon For Environmentalism
    - Saving The World Starts At Home
    - Renewable Energy A Hot Environmental Topic

    Currently Online :

    7 member(s), 18 guest(s):
    BombDrop, Erin, Moonguide, Preditor, RollingSands, Stare, WildFlower, Google, Cobion.com, Slurp

    Search :

    No comments yet
    malthus clothes biomass intensive pandas think needed group efforts rain tree forest real scientist generating grown operating buildings difference dating created solid dioxide threat released save toyota brownfields materials year hydride engine electrics including pl watching sun additive depot composting durango growth friendly control hard management affect site accumulation charles globe