Deforestation

Deforestation occurs world-wide. There are many reasons of deforestation. Some of the common
reasons include:

To make more land available for housing and urbanization

To harvest timber to create commercial items such as paper, furniture and homes

To create ingredients that are highly prized consumer items, such as the oil from palm
trees

To create room for cattle ranching

Though deforestation may be necessary, we must not forget to consider the health implications.
Common methods of deforestation are burning trees and clear cutting. The deforestation of trees
not only lessens the amount of carbon stored, it also releases carbon dioxide into the air. This is
because when trees die, they release the stored carbon. According to the 2010 Global Forest
Resources Assessment, deforestation releases nearly a billion tons of carbon into the atmosphere
per year. (Reibeck, 2014) Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most prevalent greenhouse gas. An
increase in CO2 causes changes in climate. The skin is the most exposed organ to the
environment; therefore, it is not surprising that cutaneous diseases are inclined to have a high
sensitivity to climate. Burning of the forest reduces the oxygen in the atmosphere; the smoke too
can trigger respiratory problems in individuals nearby.
Soil erosion is another problem that accompanies deforestation. Tree roots anchor the soil.
Without trees, the soil is free to wash or blow away, which can lead to vegetation growth
problems. A reduction in vegetation can lead to malnutrition because food supply is on the down
fall. Animals in the area too migrate, reducing the number of wild life available to consumption.

Financial instability occurs as well especially within a community that revolves around farming.
Landslides are of great concern as it relates to deforestation, most recently in the neighboring
country of Mexico a large number of people died by being buried under large piles of mud being
swept down by the strong winds and rain of Hurricane Earl. Soil erosion can also lead to silt
entering the lakes, streams and other water sources. This can decrease local water quality and
contribute to poor health in populations in the area.
Recommendations
Reforestation is at the forefront of counteracting deforestation. The planting of trees will reduce
the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and provide a habitat for wildlife. Due to fact
that trees take years to grow, there is also the need for preventative measures such as applying a
layer of mulch to the soil top allows the soil to slowly soak up water, as it protects against rain
impact, and restores pH levels helping with erosion prevention.
The application of sun screens and the use of caps can protect individuals from the harsh changes
in climate. By shifting the human population to a plant-based diet, the need for clearing land for
livestock will be reduced. The chlorination of potable water can help reduce disease incidence
caused by soil runoff.

References
Balato, N., & Megna, M. (2014, Januray 3). Effects of Climate Changes on Skin
Diseases. Retrieved from Pub Med:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24404995
Bradford, A. (2015, March 4). Retrieved from Live Science :
http://www.livescience.com/27692-deforestation.html
Reibeck, H. (2014). Counting the World's Trees.