As the struggle to mitigate global warming and climate change gathers momentum across the globe so also are acts of sabotage which if not checked may render practically useless the various campaigns, conferences and humongous funds deployed to the move to save the world.
Deforestation, one of these acts of sabotage, is the purposeful clearing of forested land. Throughout history and into modern times, forests have been razed to make space for agriculture and animal grazing, and to obtain wood for fuel, manufacturing, and construction.
Deforestation has greatly altered landscapes around the world.
Direct causes of deforestation are agricultural expansion, wood extraction (e.g., logging or wood harvest for domestic fuel or charcoal), and infrastructure expansion such as road building and urbanization.
The loss of trees and other vegetation can cause climate change, desertification, soil erosion, fewer crops, flooding, increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and a host of problems for Indigenous people
In 2010, Nigeria had 10.9Mha of natural forest, extending over 12% of its land area.
In 2021, it lost 96.5kha of natural forest, equivalent to 58.5Mt of CO₂ emissions.
As the climate crisis worsens, ongoing deforestation could unravel the ability of forests to self-regulate, leading to their collapse.
But that’s not inevitable. Forests can be shielded from further harm, conserved for future generations, and greatly expanded to reach their historic range one again.
By promoting sustainable agriculture and forestry practices, improving law enforcement, and addressing corruption, Nigeria can help reduce deforestation and its impact on the environment and society.
The government can establish forest reserves so as to protect trees from being cut down.
Bush burning and old farming practices should be discouraged.
Reforestation: People should be educated to plant new trees where trees have been cut down.