And so, that night, there was devastation unfurling yet again. But… of a different kind. This tree was no Whomping Willow from the Harry Potter series. Possibly, it was an enraged version of a Whomping Willow. Holding the axe above its branches, the tree rose to demolish the concrete jungle in one clean swipe. And it chuckled wickedly, feeling no regret about its actions.
While this scene has been visualized by our artist at Something Black, he hopes to tell a story from the other side of the fence.
Deforestation.
Just another word to humans and a forced lifestyle change for other species that are meant to thrive on Planet Earth. Bigger earnings, disposable incomes, need for larger homes, desire to accumulate things, materialism, and more has taken over our lives even before we noticed it. Yeah! That quick!
So, we chop down trees to build large malls. Then, we dump waste into the rivers-turned-into-canals because…err, we don’t have time to use the bin. (Bins are costly, isn’t it?) Then, we build palatial homes in protected areas and holler aloud when a snake drops in to say, “Hello”!
The world’s green cover is fast-diminishing even before we realize it.
Deforestation is about cutting down our natural forests on a large scale. This, in turn, damages the quality of soil apart from the air quality that is constantly going down. Besides, there are numerous species that are dependent on each other and the forest areas to survive in the wild. We already know the facts but in our busy days where we barely find time to eat (but, certainly enough time to update social media), we turn a blind eye to the problems that stare at us right in the face.
We wait for someone to do something. We post updates online. But, have you thought what you can do to help Planet Earth? Check out these simple ways you can incorporate in your day-to-day life.
Easiest one – Plant Trees
The only way to stop the current chaos is to identify suitable areas and begin with the task of planting trees. These will eventually turn into a beautiful green cover. You can surf online for local groups and join them as volunteers over the weekend. If you are employed with a large corporate, find out if you can work with them to introduce strong policies. Larger corporates will always make a difference in spreading the word. A simple tip – reduce the use of paper. (You do not need that extra printout!)
Use Products made from Sustainable Wood
The next time you decorate your house, do remember to pay attention to the type of wood that goes into the making of a piece of furniture. Unfortunately, illegal logging still continues but if the demand stops, so will the supply. Empower yourself before you make the purchase. Inform others to change their buying decisions. Sustainable woods are renewable. The forest reserves which are a source for sustainable woods are cared for and managed well to avoid any damage to the natural eco-system.
Campaign for a cause
The negative effects of deforestation need to be communicated to even those without access to the Internet or other media. Join hands with like-minded people and spread the awareness through campaigns. Educate people around you, take up a cause. Make an effort to spread your knowledge among colleagues, friends, and family. Request members to educate domestic staff and spread the word. You can go the extra mile to educate local farmers.
Recycle as much as you can
Whether you are a seller or a buyer, be aware of the concepts of recycling. Keep an eye out for green methods of production. In this case, the use of artificial items will reduce thereby reducing the amount of waste in our landfills. The most common materials linked to deforestation are paper, wood and of course, plastic. Watch what you discard in the waste. You can easily recycle an old plastic shampoo bottle into a pen stand, or a boring pair of footwear into a fashionable item. A quick search on the Internet will throw up multiple ideas how you can recycle at home.
Watch that Palm Oil
Why the fuss over palm oil? Well, large areas of rainforests are being cleared for plantations and to obtain palm oil. While some firms focus on obtaining palm oil in a sustainable manner, there are many who are breaking the law. Find out if your product includes this ingredient and whether the company has made attempts to obtain the same through a legal and eco-friendly source. Palm oil is also used in many cosmetics and detergents. It may not be listed as Palm Oil on the ingredient list, but it can fall under the category of vegetable oil, or stearic acid. Better still, shop for palm oil-free products to end the demand for the same.
It takes one person to make the change. That person is YOU. Share your ideas in the comments below. We would love to incorporate them too.
