6.8A - Forest Loss
Forest loss has implications for human wellbeing but there is evidence that forest stores are being protected and even expanded, especially in countries at higher levels of development. (environmental Kuznets model) (A: attitudes of global consumers to environmental issues)
Human activities are largely responsible for the climate change resulting from the enhanced greenhouse effect, the consequent disruption of the carbon and water cycles is having a negative effect on human wellbeing.
Impacts of Forest Loss
It is now widely understood that the impacts of deforestation are global in scale and not just confined to deforested areas. Forests are important for:
Kuznets Curve
It looks as if the environmental Kuznets curve is correct in suggesting that, as they reach higher levels of development and wealth. societies approach a tipping point when the costs of resource exploitation become fully realised and are set against the benefits of resource conservation and protection.
- sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
- storing carbon
- transferring moisture from the soil back into the atmosphere by evapotranspiration
Kuznets Curve
It looks as if the environmental Kuznets curve is correct in suggesting that, as they reach higher levels of development and wealth. societies approach a tipping point when the costs of resource exploitation become fully realised and are set against the benefits of resource conservation and protection.
- UK pre-industrial revolution, remote Amazonia, Indonesia pre 1970s - little income, little environmental degradation
- Indonesia today, China in the 20th century - increase in income, large increase in environmental degradation. Rising income worsens environmental impacts.
- China today - shallower gradient, almost at peak environmental degradation, middle level income
- UK today - (post-industrial service economy), rising income reduces environmental impact
UK Forests
After centuries of deforestation, the forest cover of the UK had been reduced from an estimated original figure of 80% to less than 10% by the end of the 19th century. The Forestry Commission was set up in 1919 to remedy the country's shortage of timber. it started to plant fast-growing exotic conifers, such as Sitka spruce, on the moors of Wales, the Scottish Highlands and the English Lake District and Highlands. Today 13% of the UK's land surface is now forested. In recent years, the cultivation of exotic conifers has given way to the planting of indigenous species. Today, there is much less emphasis on the commercial production of timber and more on the environmental benefits of restoring a forest cover close to the original.
So as more and more countries put the brake on deforestation and instead begin programmes of reforestation (as in the taiga), so forest loss eventually begins to have what might be seen as a positive impact.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for rising temperatures and declining ocean health. Their negative impacts are beginning to be understood, but as of yet little remedial action is being taken. Will it really take, as the Kuznets curve suggests, further increases in wealth before the tide turns from exploitation to conservation.
Human wellbeing is enhanced through a more sustainable interaction with ecosystems. The support of different players, especially governments and NGOs, is important. However, the reality is that players have different attitudes towards sustainability and on environmental issues. Attitudes are largely determined by motives - if these are economic than their attitudes towards the environment may not be sympathetic.
So as more and more countries put the brake on deforestation and instead begin programmes of reforestation (as in the taiga), so forest loss eventually begins to have what might be seen as a positive impact.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for rising temperatures and declining ocean health. Their negative impacts are beginning to be understood, but as of yet little remedial action is being taken. Will it really take, as the Kuznets curve suggests, further increases in wealth before the tide turns from exploitation to conservation.
Human wellbeing is enhanced through a more sustainable interaction with ecosystems. The support of different players, especially governments and NGOs, is important. However, the reality is that players have different attitudes towards sustainability and on environmental issues. Attitudes are largely determined by motives - if these are economic than their attitudes towards the environment may not be sympathetic.
