Deforestation is not all that serious is it? After all, it only affects small pockets of the world and doesn’t receive the same coverage as global warming or climate change.

It is this type of mentality that is dangerous to everyone. Deforestation certainly is serious and demands everyone’s attention, not just a few people who show concern about the matter. It may be true that deforestation does not occur in every single area of the world that has trees, but that is partially due to the fact that so much of the planet is carpeted with forests. Unfortunately, too much of humanity has taken the abundance of trees for granted and has turned a blind eye to the frightening pace at which they are being removed. It is easy to forget that tropical rainforests alone are losing over 80,000 acres per day because there remains so much untouched acreage worldwide.

Part of the reason we don’t hear as much about deforestation as other ecological issues is because it hasn’t yet reached critical mass. The negative effects of deforestation are not yet irreversible, but we need to address them before we reach the point of no return. It is possible to leave the forests that have not yet felt the hand of deforestation unspoiled and revive those that have simply by changing our habits and making a call for action.

One obvious cause of deforestation is the sheer amount of paper products humans consume. Paper comes from trees, and the more paper products we use, the more trees are lost. The solution here is not as easy as simply banning the lumber industry from cutting down trees in certain areas. In fact, this solution is not easy at all, because it would be counterproductive. There is a significant population that lives near forest land that is poor, especially farmers, who depend on some trees being removed in order to slightly increase farmland that they may till and harvest in order to carve out a meager living. Those of us who do not depend on the land in order to survive may not be aware of this issue and that is why we must take advantage of our position and make some sacrifices.

And if you think about it, using fewer paper products such as printer paper, paper towels, facial tissues, and paper plates doesn’t take all that much effort. The internet has already reduced the need for so much paper required to print magazines, books, and letters by digitizing so many of the media we use to communicate. Best of all, printer paper does not need to be used at record paces because of wonderful technology like flash drives and hard drives. If you need to retain of copy of a receipt or a piece of correspondence, save it to the hard drive of your computer and back it up on an external drive such as a flash. This way you won’t have to print out a copy that you would place somewhere and lose anyway.

When it comes to reducing the amount of trees felled in the name of paper, recycling is one of the most effective solutions. Instead of absent-mindedly tossing paper in the trash can, put it in a recycling receptacle. Not only does this keep the landfills clear of items that hinder their ability to store items that don’t easily biodegrade, the paper can be recycled into new paper products. It doesn’t take a large stretch of the imagination to realize a much slower rate of deforestation if everyone placed paper plates, cups, and unimportant letters in the recycle bin. If we use one cup, plate, and piece of paper for every one we recycle, the ratio is 1:1, putting much less strain on the world’s forests.

Several cities worldwide also provide recycling incentives in the form of tax credits or rebates for those who enroll in a recycling program. Through these programs, it is apparent that governments are beginning to understand the importance of reducing deforestation (as well as pollution). Many governments are also jumping on board the renewable energy initiative and setting aside funds to encourage research and development of alternative energy programs. Now would be a good time to appeal to the conservation sensibilities that several countries’ governments currently maintain and acquire funding to combat deforestation. If large timber corporations are unwilling to change their harvesting methods, it may help to develop other techniques and educate them on these procedures. If this is unsuccessful, it is possible to direct the funds toward reforestation programs and education to those who may need guidance on how they may help. Timber plantations are also an opportunity for governments to show their citizens that they are serious about curbing deforestation. Once these plantations mature and it can be shown how much product they can yield, maybe we can be convinced to leave the trees that have been given to us naturally alone.

If each of us makes an effort, even one as easy as recycling, deforestation will take much less of a toll on our lives. When everyone pitches in, the end of deforestation is possible.

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After the Bali Climate Summit there was proof that governments can be slow tools for vital social change. Many scientists have proved climate change; the few sceptics have slunk off into the night. What few people can agree on is how we could or should tackle it.

One way is to simply exercise the Power of One. Individuals can make a huge contribution to a healthier environment by simple actions and strategies adopted as a daily routine or habit.

Here are seven actions that you can adapt and incorporate into your own daily life. It is important to do these feeling empowered. It does no one, or the planet, any good if you only do things out of guilt, shame or remorse! Those are not feel-good emotions. Environmental actions need to feel good and be a positive statement against despair. Think of these actions as small deposits in an environmental bank that your grandchildren and future generations will be able to draw upon. This is a great legacy to leave!

1. Do you Really need to make that Journey?

Get strategic about journeys. Carpools are great for routine runs. Where we do not always see an opportunity is with journeys that are a greater distance. Think of all the tasks you might need to do – a visit to the library, running a pet to the vets, shopping requirements, dentist appointments. Try to cluster these activities to one central area. Then be logistic when making appointments so that you need only one car run.

Use reciprocity. Ask friends or relatives if they need anything when you are going to take a journey to accomplish appointments or tasks. Going to the dump? Do they have any items that will fill the car? Think carefully. People will appreciate being asked and your saving them a journey. They, in turn, will think of you and return the compliment.

2. Plant a Tree – or a Forest Even!

Carbon offsetting is a way of paying your carbon debt to the environment. You can visit many sites that will help you figure out what level of offsetting you need to be doing. You need to take into account your daily commute to work if you drive instead of using public transportation, as well as business and personal flights. In Ireland, for instance, I can visit http://www.carbonneutral.ie and they can tell me how many trees I need to plant each time I fly home from Dublin to visit family in New York.

The simplest way to offset your carbon emissions is to plant trees. Since Ireland is the most deforested country in Ireland, I have a number of choices. I can purchase a tree through [http://www.nativetrees.ie] who will plant on my behalf in a forest project. In the past though I have purchased trees as presents for people who have the space and land for trees. It makes an unusual gift that keeps on giving.

3. Packaging – Bin It!

Spurn plastic carrier bags and get reusable ones. Ireland brought in a tax levy on plastic bags that has helped de-litter the countryside. Get a pretty cloth, hemp or raffia bag. If it is eye-catching you won’t forget it.

When you are out shopping avoid getting fruit or vegetables in plastic containers. Look and see if the plastic can be recycled. If it doesn’t say so on the label then opt for products in glass. Go easy on foil and canned products as these can be the hardest to find recycling receptacles at Recycle Centres.

As a rule of thumb, if you don’t have a way of recycling an item them look for an alternative.

4. Eat Organic and Less Meat

I have to confess that my favourite meat is beef. But cattle and sheep do create a lot of methane and that does not help the ozone layer or the polar ice caps. So I try to have it as a treat and opt for sustainable fish and organic poultry instead.

Organic vegetables and meat are not subject to pesticides and herbicides which are tied to the petro-chemical industry. They not only save on depleting natural resources but they enhance the environment. Organic vegetables thrive on healthy soil; healthy soil fosters produce with more minerals and vitamins than conventional produce. UK scientist recently proved this. Organic food really is healthier, not just for the planet, but for the consumer.

5. Read the Food Label – Is it Local?

Food miles, the distances that food has to travel to get to our plates, has lengthened considerably in the past two decades. If you don’t have a garden to grow some of your own organic vegetables, patronise local organic market gardens, vegetable box schemes, or farmers’ markets.

Read the labels in the supermarkets for the country of origin. Buying produce grown in your own country is not only patriotic and supporting your home agri-economy, it supports the planet.

Last of all, maybe we need to fall out of love with exotic ingredients that come from across the world. Revive national cuisine and use local and seasonal produce. I am not talking seasonal in California when you live in Ireland. I am talking about eating what can be grown in your own country and in season – for your own country or region.

6. Switch to Renewable Sources of Energy

Many of us has switched to low energy light bulbs. Others consider slapping solar panels on their roof. That may not be an option if you rent your home or have not got the cash to invest in that home improvement at the moment. You might be able to do that in the long term but there is something everyone who pays an electricity bill can do.

You can switch to a provider who generates your electricity from a renewable resource. Here where I live, we have a number of wind turbines that generate electricity. We switched to the major provider in Ireland, Airtricity. Every country and region will have a company offering this alternative. Shop around!

7. Strut your stuff while you walk the talk

Cotton is the most heavily, chemically treated crop on earth. The next time you need to replace a pair of socks or knickers, consider buying organic cotton ones. There are also organic bamboo and silk/wool combinations if you prefer. Mail order is a real boon for shopping for organic clothing. Get online and find a provider that is relatively close to home. That means if you live in the USA finding someone in the USA using USA organic cotton if possible. For Europeans, that means sourcing organic cotton from Turkey or Egypt if you want to cut down air mileage.

Bee Smith is writer, organic gardener and workshop facilitator. She is blogging about how her household is reducing it’s carbon footprint over 2008 on [http://www.thelowimpact2noimpactyear.blogspot.com]

Please Note... All links within articles are placed by their author-owners and not by this blog.Products with in those links may or may not be the best in the world.If it sounds too good to be true it could be a scam.Articles are posted for their info,ideas and or entertainment value only.

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