Although all consequences of deforestation are potentially serious, perhaps the most serious consequence is that of climate change due to the loss of trees. Earth has an atmosphere which contains a variety of gases, all in a delicate balance, to ensure life on Earth. One of these gases in Earth’s atmosphere is carbon dioxide; a gas which helps moderate heat loss to outer space. Insulating gases such as carbon dioxide are called "greenhouse gasses because their function is much like that of the glass in a greenhouse: they allow solar heat into the system, but discourage its escape". Other greenhouse gases include methane, chlorofluorocarbons, nitrous oxide, and ozone. If there are additional greenhouse gases, there will be a gradual increase in temperature on Earth’s surface. This could lead to changes in weather patterns, sea levels, and other cycles in nature that directly affect life on Earth.
The process of greenhouse gas increase is quite simple. Carbon dioxide levels increase for a number of reasons; but one of the main factors contributing to the increase of carbon levels is decay of woody material. The only way to help moderate the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is through plant life. Alive plants and trees absorb the carbon dioxide from decaying plants and trees. With a decrease in trees and plant life (due to deforestation) it is much harder to moderate these levels. Ultimately, the amount of carbon will increase due to a lack of plant life present to keep the carbon dioxide levels in check. This whole process leads to an "albedo” effect which reflects more heat and light back into the atmosphere than would be the case if the sun shone on green trees. The bottom line is that the increase in the carbon level and other greenhouse gas levels into the atmosphere leads to an increase in temperature, and eventually a change in climate and weather.
Clearing and burning rainforests releases vast amounts of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere. Each year deforestation contributes 23-30 percent of all carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide, in turn, is believed to be responsible for approximately half of global warming. At present, the countries emitting the most carbon into the atmosphere from tropical deforestation are, in order of importance, Brazil, Indonesia, Burma, Mexico and Thailand. Tropical deforestation also leads to global warming by destroying one of the Earth's only ways to absorb excess atmospheric carbon. Through photosynthesis, forests absorb and store so much atmospheric carbon that scientists refer to tropical rainforests as "carbon sinks". Thus, while more and more carbon is released into the atmosphere, there are less and less forests to remove the carbon from the atmosphere. Deforestation both releases huge amounts of carbon into the atmosphere and destroys our means of absorbing and storing this substance. And it is not only carbon that is released. Rainforest canopies absorb nitrous oxide and ozone, which are released through deforestation. The destruction of the Earth's rainforests not only contribute to global warming, but, as noted, also undermines the long-term ability of the Earth's atmosphere to neutralize greenhouse gases.
Both plant and animal species are sensitive to climate changes. Due to global warming, temperature and precipitation ranges, suitable for present life forms, may shift dramatically and rapidly. This may happen more rapidly than the species that depend upon them can adapt. A decline in biodiversity and in the goods and services provided by most ecosystems is a likely result. A lengthening of the growing season is predicted for some high latitude regions. This means that these regions will probably experience an increase in potential for agricultural production.
Changing atmospheric temperatures will change patterns of ocean circulation, vertical mixing, wave climate and extent of sea-ice cover. These changes will affect nutrient availability, biological productivity and the structure and function of marine ecosystems. Past climate data and models show that major changes in ocean circulation can be caused by freshwater additions to the oceans from the movement and melting of sea ice or ice sheets and can result in rapid and dramatic changes in climate. Abrupt shifts in climate have had adverse effects on human civilisations in the past.
Rising temperatures are not predicted to change the total global production. Regional changes are expected to be quite dramatic. Production is projected to increase in high latitudes, in freshwater and from aquaculture. Warmer climates should increase the growing season, decrease natural winter variability and improve growing rates in high latitude regions. However, these beneficial results may be counter-balanced by changes in reproductive patterns, migration routes and ecosystem relationships.
Total global food production is not expected to change substantially as a result of climate change, but regional production will probably change dramatically. Some areas will have increasing crop yields. Others will decline, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. The flexibility in crop distribution (the variety of crops that can be grown in a region) is predicted to decline. Developed countries may be better able to adapt to these circumstances. Developing countries, currently struggling with food supply, may suffer even more.
There is no one easy solution as deforestation is caused by many things. One option is decreasing the need for the amount of products that are harvested from the rainforests. If all countries, especially developed ones, enforced programs that used recycling, the need for disposable products would be diminished. The immediate effects of deforestation may not yet be felt, but if this generation doesn’t feel it the next generation and their children will be the ones to suffer. It is the actions of the human race that can make or break the future of the planet. In the end everyone loses unless a solution can be reached. This is easier said than done but the choices that lie ahead on this matter carry severe consequences that will forever change they way that all things live if they are able to live at all.
