"Every year, millions of hectares of forests are lost to logging, agriculture, and urban expansion." (Ecodrive) Deforestation is a grave problem throughout the world. From destroying ecosystems to contributing to climate change, it is no doubt that deforestation harms us all. Residing in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas, I know firsthand how devastating deforestation can be. DFW is heavily involved in modernizing development projects, consequently causing a lot of the land to be cleared, especially in older areas.
DFW is in a major developmental age. With a minimum 18.35 billion dollars invested in 2025 alone, it's no surprise that there have been significant environmental changes. However, there's one group that these development projects affect the most: older cities. For instance, at the easternmost part of the Spring Creek Forest Preserve in Garland, one of the oldest cities in the metroplex, the entire land had been "brutally" cleared to install a new sewer line.
Trees have a cooling effect on the temperature. Though, in developmental projects, trees are typically cleared and the remaining ground is covered with pavement, buildings, or other structures that retain heat. This situation creates heat islands—areas that experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas. This can be extremely detrimental to health, increasing the risk of developing heat illness. In a 2011 heat wave, the temperature in Dallas was 108 degrees Fahrenheit. But, the heat island effect caused some parts of the city to go up to 151 degrees; 50 people died that day.
Deforestation is a large contributor to climate change, and to no one's surprise, climate change brings devastating strains on people's health. Texas already has sweltering temperatures, and with the added heat of climate change, the growing season and carbon monoxide in the air is increased, consequently elongating the allergy season and causing respiratory issues like asthma.
In a study done at Southern Methodist University, researchers found that areas that don't have access to green spaces are at a higher risk of developing depression, anxiety and chronic stress. However, the researchers found that two groups are most affected by deforestation's effects: Black and Latino communities. These groups of people predominantly reside in low-income areas because of zoning and mortgage discrimination. Green spaces are typically scarce in these areas for numerous reasons: high costs, lack of political representation, investing in tourist attractions instead of necessary facilities, and more.