Deforestation is exactly how it sounds. When we extract resources from the forest for our needs, we disrupt the natural habitats and ecosystems of many animals that rely on those resources for their daily survival. There always seems to be a greater need for land for urban purposes, and we end up just reducing the forest to increase human productivity. Some are also being cleared for more farming practices, such as the process of growing palm oil for various countries. Some other ways we have noticed deforestation are through frequent fires, either man-made or natural, for wood or to graze more livestock.
A way that deforestation causes atmospheric problems is through climate change. Forests with their trees and resources are there to limit the release of too much carbon dioxide to be released into the atmosphere by keeping it in their biomass. Without this layer of protection, more Carbon Dioxide will be released into the atmosphere, trapping the heat and increasing climate change. Animals just like us live in their homes, and these forests are their home, whether we are talking about orangutans, sloths, lemurs, or even smaller ones like butterflies.
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is a group that is involved in various projects, and its main mission is to help solve issues for animals as a result of deforestation. They work on reconnecting animals with lost habitats, like elephants, by protecting the remainder of their environment and providing additional resources like food and water accordingly. They also collaborate with other states and countries, like India, to work with similar groups in other places to teach people about ways to not resort straight to deforestation.
Although many regions have different levels of deforestation going on, it is important to consider what other ways we can contribute to helping stop this from continuing. Large corporations and companies can start by implementing policies for raw materials like timber, oil, or paper that don't result from deforestation or any environmental destruction. For individual contributions, choose safe packaging, consume food that is packaged in something sustainable to the environment, and keep track of how to dispose of items that might harm the environment.
We can start by creating zones and/or restricted areas where companies are allowed to extract resources. By doing this and placing certain limitations, we can be assured that some parts will often have less of a deforestation effect.