Deforestation

                                      Deforestation

                6.01

Define the situation or problem     

1. Take the issue you have chosen and explain how it affects your community.

•  My issue is deforestation. It is currently destroying wildlife habitats, also they are cutting down our tress and less trees means there is less oxygen

     2. What do members of your family and community say about the issue?    

•  My family believes that you're killing animals and their habitats where they live. I agree, but also we are putting our own lives in danger.

     3.  How does this issue affect households and local residents?

• It affects household and local residents by destroying the soil structure, also it causes erosion., and it takes away a habitat.

     4.How does this issue affect area businesses?

•    It can affect businesses by destroying it or if it floods the people may not be able to work.

    5. How does this issue affect our government at the local, state, and national levels?

•  It has no affect on government yet, they intend to build up.

    6. How does this issue affect the rest of the world?

•  It affects the rest of the world because it increase the CO2, which will eventually lead to global warming

    8. How does the issue affect resources, goods and services, and finances?   

• Increase runoff or unabsorbed rainfall.    

Construct a circular-flow diagram that incorporates effects of your chosen issue on economic products and various sectors of the economy. 

• REST OF THE WORLD

Exports products     made of trees internationally

BUSINESS FIRMS Businesses sell     wood and other products made of wood/trees. Businesses cut down trees.

HOUSEHOLD Houses are built     from the wood of trees. Paper and many other materials made from trees are     bought.

• GOVERNMENT

Government taxes     production and distribution. Sets standards.

                            6.02

Identify the important criteria to evaluate possible solutions.

1. What are the necessary conditions for any possible solution to work?    

•  More greenhouses instead of clearing out land for agricultural purposes. A more green conscious society would be very beneficial. 

      2. Are there budget or labor concerns? 

• Yes. It would be expensive to run on greenhouses and other means instead of deforestation. Labor would be cut drastically because many would not be needed anymore.

      3. Does the public need to be aware of and support the solution?

•  YES !!

      4. What challenges are there to implementing each solution? 

•  Where will we get the products made from trees, those are some of the examples
  

      5. How else might you judge possible solutions against each other? 

•  Completely cutting out deforestation may not be possible, so possibly a partial transition would be best. 
  

      6.What do your parents say about the issue?

• “There is enough land already destroyed, we do not need to further the problem. The regrowth of trees takes exponentially longer than finding a different place to build.” –Mother 
  
  

       7. Should possible externalities factor into the chosen solution?

•  Of course we should consider the externalities to make an open- minded decision.

  6.03

 Consider all possible solutions or alternatives.

1. Give three possible solutions to the environmental issue you are investigating.

• Politic: enforcing laws

• Forest fiber products

• Greenhouses

     2. Why would some people oppose the solutions you have chosen?   

• Many would appose to these solutions because they are losing money.      

Calculate the consequences of these solutions—both intended and unintended at all levels of the economy.

      3. What positive or negative externalities does this issue present at each sector of the economy? Refer to your circular-flow diagram.

• There would be less work available to those who cut down trees. The government could gain money from this. It would be more difficult to find household products. Things could be imported from other countries.

   4. What incentives do individuals, businesses, and government have to act on each possible solution?

• The most basic incentive would be to help the environment and future generations to come.

   5. What are the externalities, both positive and negative that could result from each possible solution?   

• Negative externalities could be that jobs may be lost. Positive externalities would be that more people would move to our community who appreciate green living, therefore helping the economy and helping the cause.    

6.04

 
Wilson, Carla. Indigenous people at risk as rainforests stripped bare, conference told. 2003. Web. 11 May 2012. <http://www.mapuche-nation.org/english/html/environmental/enviro-33.htm>.

 

 “Deforestation Facts, Deforestation Information, Effects of Deforestation – National Geographic.” Environment Facts, Environment Science, Global Warming, Natural Disasters, Ecosystems, Green Living – National Geographic. National Geographic, 2011. Web. 24 Nov. 2011. <http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/deforestation-overview/>.

Analysis

Make a statement about how each possible solution either meets or does not meet each of your criteria.

Solution 1: Do not cut down any more trees whatsoever.

This solution is way too extreme and is not possible.

Solution 2: Use greenhouses instead of cutting down trees for agriculture. Build on land that is already available, if building is necessary.

This solution meets all the criteria while still making it doable for citizens.

Solution 3: Replant trees, could be government regulated.

This solution meets the criteria and is helpful.

Select your best solution to turn into action. Explain why you make this choice over the other possible solutions. Refer back to the criteria and externalities.

The best solution is solution number 3. It is not just stopping deforestation, but doing something to fix it. It results in a cleaner and happier Earth. This solution has the least negative externalities, while making many positive ones. Planting trees brings unity to a community, helpful to the earth, is visually appealing, and attracts more people to want to live in that community.