Energy and Natural Resources

Natural Resources and Energy

SCI 256

March 10, 2012

Hildegarde Selig

Natural Resources and Energy

The world's forests hold value for their population as well as for the general health of the planet. The benefits of forests to civilization and to the multiplicity of life make it very important that they be protected from deforestation and other possible unconstructive impacts of society. Forests are major contributors to the Earth's ability to maintain its climate, by the worldwide impact of their photosynthesis. They are a natural protection against climate change, removing the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide and generating oxygen. This assists in purifying the atmosphere and controlling rising temperatures. Deforestation negates these benefits.

This essay will include a discussion of the effects of growing population on forests, and the impacts associated with agriculture on forests. However, some risks and benefits of extracting and using one type of renewable energy resource from forests will be identified. This essay will conclude with a discussion of one management practice for sustainability and conservation of natural resources in the forests.

Effects of Growing Population on Forests

A growing population can have a negative effect on the Earth’s forest resources. The human population itself is not harmful to the Earth’s natural forest resources. Humankind has been harmful to the forest. For centuries wood and wood products were used to heat homes and pencils, and paper to name a few. The forest and the wood and trees that were being cut down without consideration for what possibly could happen if people all over were doing the same thing. The resources can become diminished the Forest could possible become distinct; it depends on who takes care of the forest.

Most of the Earth forests are owned privately only a small percentage is public forest. “Climate change will affect forest growth, inventories, and harvest levels slowly, over...