What will it be.. Tree-Cutter or Tree-Hugger?
by liannemcradu ~ September 23rd, 2010. Filed under: Ethics.
Protecting our precious rain forests is a huge task, but needs to be a priority. Mankind needs to move faster to protect the lungs of our earth! This can be done, and progress is being shown in a few different areas. The UN has been taking a firmer stance on this issue by allowing sections to re-grow, but this process is not yet isolated. Also, one of the main international efforts called REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degeneration) is taking action by paying the people who cut down the trees in South America to not cut down trees. I question if this short term incentive will actually work in the long run. Economic growth both causes deforestation and slows it. As more emerging countries become more prosperous, their needs and wants become greater, but at the same time, they are becoming more educated about their surroundings and more aware of certain issues. The air we breathe is important, but so are the many different diverse animals and plants that are found in these forests and no where else on earth! We have learned so much from them and they carry so much more information that we humans, have yet to discover.