What are we doing to help stop deforestation?

By signing this petition, you are asking Matt Kean, who is the MP of Energy and Environment in NSW, to bring this petition to the Parliament of NSW to find a way to stop deforestation in Dubbo, NSW

How is deforestation changing our planet?

Deforestation can cause habitat loss of endangered and threatened species that are near extinction. This will result in a major imbalance in the ecosystem. This has a ripple effect across many ecosystems that can eventually lead to humans running out of food! Trees are also really important to keep soil together and in place. In the process of deforestation, as trees are cut down, the soil will start to crumble and fall apart. Some of the soil could pollute our waterways! This soil erosion also removes the many nutrients in the soil which microbial and animal species rely on to survive. Without soil kept in place by trees, flooding will also occur as the water will not be able to be absorbed. Deforestation can also lead to Global warming which leads to many other horrible issues.

What causes humans to clear our natural environment?

Agriculture is the reason behind 80% of deforestation, new construction is 15% and urbanisation is 5%. Humans have also been collecting resources from forests for a very long time. But since the Industrial Revolution in the mid-18th century, humans are collecting many more resources from the environment than it can produce. Capitalism is an economic system where money is made from selling many resources such as oil, gas, timber, coal and biofuels. This means that capitalism is one of the main drivers for deforestation, as the drive to make money from resources is what is causing humans to the clear land for. 

What can we do to save our forests, seas and animals from deforestation? (Responsibility)

We must push to change the policy in our country by advocating for more stricter rules. We can also listen to Indigenous people as they have lived in forest land for thousands of years and know how to live in sustainable ways. Another thing that we can do is to change the things we choose to buy and how frequently we make purchases. Try not to buy products that include palm oil. For example, lipstick, ice-cream, certain shampoos brands such as palmolive, Nutella, chocolate, cookies, soap and many others. This is because forests are being destroyed in order to grow enough palm trees to provide enough palm oil to make all of these products. If you need to buy a wood or paper product, try to find one that is made from recycled wood or paper. If this is not possible, then try to buy wood or paper products that have the FSC logo on them. When you have the option to, try and plant a tree because if humans continue deforestation, the trees on our planet will eventually run out. Last but definitely not least, another important thing that humans need to do is to spread awareness about deforestation and talk to each other about what we can do to overcome deforestation.