Sebastian explains the issue of deforestation and its impacts on us in our day to day lives. 

Deforestation in the Amazon and in urban areas is a hot topic that needs to be covered now more than ever. This is because the rainforest will benefit all living organisms in order to survive and remain sustainable for future generations. It provides ecosystem services, increase biodiversity and allows the water cycle and carbon cycle to continue without unbalance. Right now, the effects of deforestation are crippling the nation and therefore puts a strain on the health and environmental sector. However, most importantly, the lack of trees hurts the wellbeing and health of others and so should be avoided at all costs. The impact could be hindered, accelerated or stopped but to what extent is this true in our current conditions in a more globalised world. 

Deforestation affects me as I have experienced the negative impacts that this has caused to people’s wellbeing and lifestyle. 

Deforestation is the issue and it is happening in every part of the globe. Deforestation is the process of cutting down trees using numerous tactics and use the land for urban development, agricultural growth or anything in between. The issue specifically is that trees and vegetations in general contributes to allowing the water and carbon cycle to function without it being unbalanced (disruptions). 

This is an issue because I enjoy running through woodland and nature reserves filled with high density vegetation. This allows me to feel like I am in a different world as I tend to surround myself with urban scenery, it is nice to change perspectives of life. 

Deforestation affects me as I have experienced the negative impacts that this has caused to people’s wellbeing and lifestyle. Deforestation occurred in Indonesia where they slash and burn the trees to quickly take them down. The smoke emitted and the visuals in the environment has left me with negative effects. There was trouble breathing where it would impact my lungs and not many hiking opportunities for me to appreciation nature at its finest. 

This piece was created by Sebastian Hollingshead on the Keeping It Wild Traineeship with London Wildlife Trust. The traineeship is one strand of the Keeping It Wild Project. This project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and this particular activity strand was supported by Tallow Chandlers.

Banner image taken by Angelina during a Wild Action Programme on the Keeping It Wild project.