Overviews of Deforestation in Amazon and in Thailand

People deforest because timber and wood is a necessity to humans. We need paper, which comes from trees. We need timber/wood for houses and other buildings, and we need it because of increasing urbanization in some areas. In addition, we need wood for commercial and industrial use as well.

Environmental Problems of Deforestation:

Deforestation is the major problem at hand but other problems are related as well, including global warming, reduction in bio- diversity and species loss.

· (a) Global Warming: Deforestation in developing countries accounts for between 7 and 31 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, which cause clima

Total Land Area Total Forest Forest % of Forest Change Annual Rate of

During the 1970s and 1980s, Thailand's forests were cut down to meet growing foreign demand for tropical hardwoods and wood furniture; teak was especially prized. Most deforestation was the result however of land use changes. Between 1965 and 1989, Thai forests and woodlands were reduced at an annual rate of 2.6 percent. Over the same period, pasture lands and agricultural plots expanded at 3.5 and 2.4 percent per annum, respectively, and by 1989, Thailand was left with 28 percent forest coverage, 2 percent pastureland, and agricultural land.

The actions taken appear to have stimulated occupation of the Amazon. The road network expanded significantly over the decade 1975-1985.In addition, total population more than doubled between 1970 and 1991, and urban population more than tripled. Finally, cleared forest area increased significantly.

Country in 2000 in 2000 Land Area in 1999-2000 Change during

One offshoot of the reforestation program was the establishment of large-scale eucalyptus plantations. The wood chips and paper pulp would be exported by transnational corporations such as Shell and Esso to Taiwan and Japan to earn hard currency. The policy has been supported by the Thai Board of Investment, the Thai Royal Forestry Department, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Bank. In addition, numerous local and foreign businesses, such as Japan's Oji Paper and Phoenix Pulp and Paper among others, will profit from publicly subsidized purchase of land and the establishment of commercial eucalyptus plantations.

-Use alternative materials . . . one example is plastic

Some topics in this essay:
Deforestation Thailand, Amazon Basin, Amazon River, Introduction Deforestation, Brazilian Amazon, Edward Wilson, Loss Brazil's, Pulp Paper, Rate Country, Meanwhile Thailand's, rain forest, global warming, rain forests, eucalyptus plantations, tropical rain, tropical rain forest, cattle ranching, ranching commercial logging, natural forests, rate deforestation, wood products, ranching commercial, cattle ranching commercial,