Forests play a pivotal role in the stabilisation of the Earth's climate. The loss of forests, particularly tropical rain forests, changes local weather patterns which in turn affects global climate. If not rectified, these climatic changes will result in the extinction of countless species as well as endangering our own. Deforestation will reek untold havoc on the global community in the immediate future and its influence over weather patterns might result in our ultimate destruction.

Each year, 40 to 50 million acres of forest are cleared away by the very species that has come to depend upon it for its very survival. Deforestation has been the result of natural phenomena such as volcanic eruptions and forest fires triggered by the dry season, but it is man who has been the most destructive force behind deforestation. In our brief period on the earth, man has already destroyed up to two thirds of the Earth's land surface. The hardest hit areas have primarily been those thir

The permanent destruction of indigenous forests and woodlands disrupts local and global climate. Forests take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and use it to produce the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins that make up the tree. When the trees are cleared and consequently burnt, the carbon dioxide is released back into the atmosphere. It is estimated that deforestation contributes to one-third of all the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. As the concentration of carbon dioxide molecules increases, the amount of heat energy that is allowed to escape the earth's atmosphere decreases. The heat energy that is reabsorbed back into the atmosphere causes temperatures to rise all around the globe.

This system gives farmers an alternative to forest clearing for fuel wood. In one such project, in southern Guatemala, the organisation CARE (Co-operative for American Relief Everywhere) is planting more than 50 million trees over a period of 10 years. In addition to their agricultural benefits, these trees will soak up 15 million tons of carbon.

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Approximate Word count = 1200
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)