Deforestation:
The issue of deforestation is a complex geographical and scientific issue. However, in recent years it has become equally, an important economic and political issue as the effects of deforestation compound the efforts being made in combating global warming. The concern of the author is with the environmental costs associated with land and forest disruption, and with poor stewardship of global resources. The precise and accurate extent of deforestation cannot be finitely assessed due to the remoteness of many areas from which forests are removed and, the lack of written records that exist for deforestation and the counteracting effects of 'Afforestation'. I make no apologies for what is to be delivered on this subject which, given the facts, will undoubtedly deliver a ferocious attack on countries, nations and individuals most culpable of land degradation. I will stand by what I deliver. This is not intended to be an article written on passive terms but, one I believe, that should hit hard and against those individuals most responsible. It is the intention of the writer in seeking the most effective dissemination from those who can propel my work to where it matters. According to statistics available to the writer, forest removal and destruction has continued, unabated, from the earliest days of human settlement. What has also continued is the brutal assault against land preservation which has added to the destruction of natural biological diversity and the increasing toxic and acidic intensity of the atmosphere. This, in itself, is an extremely important point which is often overlooked. At this stage of writing, I feel it more appropriate in journalling the science and the technicalities of the subject at hand. In the context of writing and, given the seriousness by which climatic conditions are being threatened by governmental policies and man-made destruction, the issue of intensifying attacks against certain individuals and governments will need firstly, therefore, to consider what the problems actually are. In the Scottish Parliament today (Wednesday, 23 May 2007) the First Minister, Alex Salmond, has delivered a resounding commitment that Scotland will be at the forefront in combating the effects of global warming and related issues. Mr. Salmond spoke of technological advances and how industries such as fishing and farming in Scotland can play pivotal roles by being party to environmental concerns. Mr. Salmond is eager to develop strategies that will embrace other political views and ideologies and, from an environmental scientific point of view, develop laws that will compel recalcitrant groups from any intended departures. Many farmers in Scotland who use methods totally unacceptable in terms of the environment will be one group that will forced in complying. At this stage, I am unwilling to substantiate in clear written terms what violations currently exist but, after having received advice from Counsel today, libellous claims are only valid if statements made are untrue. Statements concerning fact and precise detail are not by definition either libellous or defamatory. The author is currently considering the best approach in which to detail such claims. You will appreciate, that this being a public domain, requires purported statements to be fully accurate without any likelihood of pursing a legal claim against the writer. Evidential material such as photographic displays of chemical abuse. Superficial growth rates without regards to the environment or its laws as detailed within today's lectern brief. Motivated by and orientated by financial gain and, more importantly, why such practices have been covert for so long. Today's lectern brief stated: .................... Environmental Policy: "In the law of the EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, a policy of the communities added by the SEA or SINGLE EUROPEAN ACT. The Communities are now legally enjoined to preserve, protect and improve the quality of the environment, to contribute towards health and prudently and rationally utilise natural resources. Detailed provisions exist for preventative action and a rule that environmental damage should be dealt with – a useful rule when the consequences of ONE MEMBER STATE’S pollution may run down a river and harm the environment of another. The person polluting should pay in principle, not the community taxpayers. The Community itself is empowered to act where it can do so more effectively than the member states. It is important to appreciate that even before the inclusion of the policy in the Treaties; the Community had done much in the field under other powers. The 1990 Environmental Directive permits free access to environmental information of public authorities. An environmental agency does exist which acts as a monitoring body." ................. It is incumbent upon the writer to point out that many developed countries recognise that forests are valuable renewable sources. It is also apt in pointing out that, in many countries, tree removal is commonly followed by immediate AFFORESTATION. Afforestation is merely the planting of trees on land which was formerly used for land utilisation other than forestry; this particularly contrasts with ‘re-afforestation’ which is, in essence, the restocking of existing woodlands which have been depleted. Within the developing world, sale of tropical hardwoods has become a major source of foreign currency and capital inflows; in Africa and South America replanting schemes are, at best, only practiced in a minority of instances. Anecdotal evidence suggests that during the early 80s, the average annual rate of deforestation in tropical countries was estimated at 3.8 million ha. The author can confirm, with a reasonable degree of certainty, that over 170 million ha. has now been deforested, or a staggering 15% of remaining closed tropical rain forests. Utter and contemptible destruction in the name of corporate profit and western trade. Do you not, as a residing tenant on the earth to which you have been entrusted, feel a sense of responsibility, in what has been happening? In how, for instance, the scarce and life supporting resources of the world are being immortalised for political dominance? You and I, created in God's image - in both mind and body - standing by, and watching such relentless and unmitigating destruction. True morality has neither juxtaposition or acts which are convoluted, so why do we standby and simply watch and tolerate the brutal assault against the earth? Scotland, as purported by Alex Salmond - First Minister - will ensure that the small nation she is will contribute in a positive and economically viable way towards the environment. In Scotland, we will be the counting the cost in what it will take, sooner rather than later. Mr. Salmond rightly commends advances in technology and scientific approaches to many issues associated with the environment. Increasing the diversity and range of technology can only create economies of scale. In the long-run, such diversification can only lead to reduced average costs. The practices of illegal farming must stop. Adding cocktails of chemicals together in creating superficial food stuffs has far wide ranging consequences such as the impact on human health and the manifestation of weeds in variant forms that are certainly affecting the ordered structures of the food chain. This message needs forced home. In addition, the impact of GM crops, which is an American influence, has many questions unanswered with a whole array of ethical issues unwilling to be discussed or answered by the British government. The British government has aligned itself with corporate governance of those institutions most likely to make heavy profits against the backdrop of public health concerns. Most, if not all European countries are opposed to the cultivation of GM crops because of the uncertainties associated with such food stuffs. When we speak in terms of deforestation, the issue is by far not just restricted to a single continent or nation. Major losses have occurred in the Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Liberia and Ghana where the rate of forest felling is actually seven times the world average. It is important when delivering an article of this nature that the geographical facts are delivered in true context; not just merely attacking one nation who may have a perception of world economic destruction. Deforestation has been driven by population growth, from pressure to clear land for farming, for land speculation, for commercial ranching and by ruthless economic exploitation for profitable gain. This much we know. In its wake, deforestation has brought about a number of very serious physical geographical disturbances. In my next chapter on this subject, I aim to write upon these serious issues of fact. As readers may be aware, my personalised music channel hosted via Yahoo Music is advertising this website and for fair environmetal policy. I am pleased that an additional outlet, like Yahoo Music, exists for purposes of propelling the message further afield. The Music industry in general can have a powerful reticence on political and economic issues.
Ladies and gentlemen, 'deforestation' may be defined simply as: "the permanent clearing of forest land and its conversion to non-forest uses” (Dowe, May 2007). Deforestation has been claimed by the WORLDS RESOURCES INSTITUTE to be the world's most pressing land use problem.
