DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS
written by KAPO CHEUNG
edited by MARJOVIE LIU
Forests. Over half of the world's trees stand in these luscious great assemblies that have been around for millions of years. Not only are they home to countless unique species found on land, they are also key to keeping our climate stable. In the past, mankind had destroyed them without hesitation, but with the astonishing ability they had, the forests were able to recover and strive again. Unfortunately, with increasing climate change and carbon emissions in the atmosphere, these evolutionary giants are once again at risk.
Forests are essential to providing habitats for the diverse species we have on this planet. They offer a home to more than half of the terrestrial animals on earth, ranging from the great elephants to the tiniest of creatures.These diverse species roam the lands, relying heavily on having a stable and interconnected ecosystem to live in. Without forests, the lands on our planet would not be habitable for both mankind and wildlife. Our trees create a rich variety of canopy that keeps many vital systems on earth running - from maintaining global temperature by absorbing carbon dioxide, to offering natural resources to support the lives of many communities.
artwork by ADELAIDE WONG
Despite this, due to our ignorance and imprudence, many species' futures are now in jeopardy.
Large amounts of energy used by industries and people are obtained from forests, in forms we know as fuel, charcoal and wood. For some individuals, our forests mean little to nothing: only business, industry and profit whisper in their minds. It is said that worldwide, we have now collectively destroyed over half of the forests that once flourished on our planet. Not only are we disrupting biodiversity by unsustainable logging, but we are also changing the climate of the entire planet.
Forest fires rage in Western Australia… wildfire breaks out across California… fight to control raging wildfires… firefighters trapped in fire…residents scrabble to escape…thousands of wildlife endangered…more than 60% of forest burned ….
These headlines are becoming ever so frequent, spreading rapidly across the media.
For all 7 billion of us, every aspect of our lives are linked to the health of our vital life support system: forests. Forests are the best mechanism nature has for locking away carbon and are the hearts of biodiversity. The wilder and more diverse forests are, the more effective they are in helping us absorb carbon from the atmosphere, and hopefully maintaining a stable climate across the globe.
You perhaps would think that with the great technological advancements mankind has created, we would have the ability to understand the biosphere in depth and put the natural resources to good use. Yet, we are failing miserably to preserve the natural wonders that have existed long before us. It is a fact that global demand for timber products is expected to triple over the next three decades. Logging companies greedily carve out roads into the hearts of our pristine forests to extract timber. Overharvesting of wood for fuel is leading to outbursts of pests and diseases, forest fires, and increasing global temperatures. Not only does this threaten the survival of countless species, it also jeopardizes people’s livelihoods and undermines the vital services these forests provide. Human activities have already led to the loss of 40% of the world's forest. How long will it take for us to lay waste to the forests still left standing?
If we continue to let large corporations cut down trees, there will be no future for humanity. Millions of species will face countless challenges, and in the end, they will eventually cease to exist. Imagine a world without trees, without oxygen, without wildlife. All that is left is a world drowning in an excess of carbon dioxide. All that would be left is a lifeless world, a world of darkness and emptiness, suffering from death by a thousand cuts.
From a young age, we have always been reminded about the importance of time: how we should not waste it in any way because no one can escape the passing of time. Likewise, our trees are just as important, when the trees are gone our time will be up. We cannot get back the time we have lost, and we cannot get back the ecosystem we have destroyed. The need to stop exploiting our forests is more crucial than ever before. Many people do not understand the value of time until they have lost it, but with the current crisis we are facing, we cannot afford to wait any longer. We cannot afford to stand by and watch our forests disappear.
Right now we aren't just racing against time to save the forests and to save the millions of species that are at risk of extinction - we’re in a race to save ourselves and to secure a better future. If we choose to give forests the time and space they need to recover and replenish, they could recreate the earth with many rich and varied communities of animals and plants; ones mankind had robbed. But time itself cannot heal our forests, and the journey to recovery will be tedious unless we start sustainably obtaining resources and reduce the level of deforestation. We have exploited forests through the ages but if we act now, our forests can strive once again. A future with more forest is the key to the resilience of our planet. Afterall, what is a world without trees?