Can Logging Help the Enviorment Essay -- Environment, Saving Forests

The Earths forest hold up to 90% of the terrestrial plants and animal species (Heaton 76). About 13 million hectares of the world’s forests are cut down each year (FAO 2005). Forests also hold 25% of modern medicines (World Rainforest Movement 28), while the United States is the largest wood consumer in the world; Heaton says that the US, per capita, consumes approximately 330 kg in wood based products compared to 233 kg in Germany who holds second place (WRI 2003). WWF has been trying for years to help with the world’s preservation of forests. WWF’s policy toward conservation of forests states â€Å"†¦[to] influence broader, long-term governmental policy - domestically and internationally - that supports our mission to conserve 19 of the world's most important natural places and significantly change global markets to protect the future of nature by 2015.† Being raised in logging community where logging is not just a livelihood for the citizens, but a major and necessary industry, I have been made very aware of the arguments for both sides. However, the media tends to be biased in favor of environmentalism. We have myriads of organizations that are formed just to prevent further damage to our environment and ecosystem. Over the past twenty years, multiple laws have been implemented to try and save forests across America as a result of petitions, protests, and people wanting to do well for the environment. I want to believe that by reducing logging and by expanding our national forests to save the ecosystem and animal habitats, the problem of depletion of forests would be solved, however, these hopes, that are the same hopes of environmentalist organizations, of banning logging are neither ideal nor logical. I would like to know if th... ...ry, and it’s incredibly difficult for the government to put a complete stop to the practice. The human race has used wood since the dawn of man. We are so dependent on this material that we have exhausted or resources to the point of certain plant and animal species are now on the verge of extinction or already nonexistent. But, there is hope for the forests around the world. Organizations, such as WWF, FSC, SFI have shown great results for saving natural resources, and in the cases of FSC and SFI they have reused and recycled many items without further harm to the planet. I think that with further study in biodiversity, we could create a huge impact for future generations to come that would prove to be quite useful. I think that if this research was to commence that there would be a greater understanding of our environment and how to handle and treat it better.