How does this look in terms of cold, hard stats? As of 2020, the following facts show the scale of the problem we as a country have faced, and continue to face, if deforestation does not slow down.<\/p>\n
There are many reasons why deforestation is a problem, and it isn\u2019t just the obvious in that animals and plants will lose their natural habitats \u2013 although this is a major issue in itself, with animal species such as birds, big cats and simians all facing extinction due to the loss of their homes. Deforestation is responsible for around 11% of the global greenhouse gas emissions at present, and also has knock on effects such as soil erosion, flooding and desertification of previous growth areas.<\/p>\n
Looking at climate change in particular, deforestation impacts this problem because of the way trees take in carbon dioxide and expel oxygen and water vapour into the air in return. As there are less trees (and plants, bushes etc) to do this job, the amount of CO2 in the air increases. As we\u2019ve touched on before in our Is Carbon Dioxide Really a Monster?<\/a> post, we all need CO2 to live, but in excess amounts it raises the Earth\u2019s temperature. This in turn causes problems like melting ice caps, long hot Summers with little rain (which impacts crop growth, animal care and human health) and other problems. In short, we need CO2 levels to be controlled, and by cutting down our woodlands without replacing them like for like (which is impossible at the speed we are losing them and how long it takes for regeneration programs to be effective), climate change will continue to be a problem.<\/p>\n There are many reasons behind the deforestation in this country; the primary driver is agriculture, followed closely by mining, logging and new infrastructure.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”] Illegal deforestation is also a problem in the UK, and one that has recently been in the news as the UK set our laws to curb this both in this country and abroad. Called the Environment Act 2021, this was passed into law in November 2021, and makes it illegal for large UK businesses to use materials that have been produced on land illegally deforested or used.<\/p>\n Whilst illegal deforestation makes up a relatively small percentage of the overall deforestation problem in this country, in other countries it can be up to 90%, and does attract organised crime groups hoping to make big bucks from illegally deforested areas.<\/p>\n Environmental groups such as Greenpeace and Earthsight have raised concerns that the current Environmental Bill does not go far enough to stop the consumption of both wood and the products grown on land that has been illegally deforested to make a difference, but on this one at the moment, only time will tell. It is the Act of its kind from any government in the world, so in that regard, the UK are driving this element of protecting our woodlands.<\/p>\n As we have become more aware as a nation and globally of the problems caused by deforestation, various regeneration programs have been set up to try and limit the impact this has. In the UK, programs of note include:<\/p>\n Community Forest Trust \u2013 England\u2019s Community Forests program<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n This has been going for nearly 30 years in all areas of England \u2013 it is the largest environmental regeneration initiative in this country. It is not active in Scotland, Wales or NI.<\/p>\n Gov.uk – The England Trees Action Plan 2021-2024<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n This is the Government\u2019s action plan for woodlands, forests and trees in England covering a 3 year span, with a goal to regenerate the treescape by 2050 in order to reach the country\u2019s net zero goal. One example of how this action plan is progressing is a new community forest spanning 150 hectares being planted in Cumbria, which will see thousands of trees grow along Cumbria\u2019s West Coast.<\/p>\n Nature for Climate Fund from Defra and the Forestry Comission \u2013 various projects<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The Nature for Climate Fund will see over \u00a312 million spent on four separate funds that will support tree planting; these are:<\/p>\n Whilst regeneration programs will not solve the ongoing problems that deforestation causes, they will work to offset some of the damage being caused as our natural woodlands and trees diminish. It is vital however that as a country and a nation, we all educate ourselves as to the impacts of deforestation, and actively seek to undertake activities such as recycling of cardboard and paper so that the demand for virgin materials is reduced. It is also important that we are all aware of our consumption for single use products such as paper straws and coffee cups that also increase demand for wood, and work to find reusable solutions.<\/p>\n Sources<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cZero waste\u201d is a relatively new phrase in our ever eco conscious world but one that has potential to have a big impact on the environment around us. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":2128,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[50,48],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2127","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-environment","8":"category-sustainability"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nCauses of UK Deforestation<\/h2>\n
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Illegal deforestation<\/h2>\n
Regeneration programs<\/h2>\n
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