Essay Deforestation of The Pacific Northwest - 1212 Words

Deforestation of the Pacific Northwest One of the most controversial areas associated with the global problem of deforestation is the Pacific Northwest of the US. The problem can be broken down into several issues that all tie in together. These include the near extinction of the Northern Spotted Owl, the business aspect of logging versus the environmental aspect, and the role of the government in this problem. In 1973, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was passed. This enabled the Dept. of Commerce and Dept. of the Interior to place species, either land or marine, as either threatened or endangered. Under these terms species could no longer be hunted, collected, injured or killed. The northern spotted owl falls†¦show more content†¦Seeing an animal in an artificial environment can certainly not be compared to witnessing an animal in its natural environment. In my opinion, there can be no price put on the existence of any species on this planet, plant or animal. To think that money has become such an influential part of our society that companies are willing to sacrifice a species in order to make a profit. The northern spotted owl is only one of many species that are on the verge of extinction do to deforestation. Another important consideration in the deforestation of the Pacific North Coast is logging as a business. The investors of a publicly owned company sole concern is the growth of their stock, and this for lumber companies is accomplished by h arvesting trees in the most efficient and cost effective manner. Clear-cutting old growth is the best way to accomplish this. This approach leads to quick financial gain but is not best for the long-term or the trees. It is the companies that use this process that is the most unfavorable to the forests and contributes to deforestation the most. Another approach uses wise management techniques to maximize the long-term profit of the forest. Guest speaker Jerry Howe would fall into this category as a private land owner. As a land steward, he believes he can do what he wants with his land. The term steward is usedShow MoreRelatedDeforestation of the Pacific Northwest1216 Words   |  5 PagesDeforestation of the Pacific Northwest One of the most controversial areas associated with the global problem of deforestation is the Pacific Northwest of the US. The problem can be broken down into several issues that all tie in together. These include the near extinction of the Northern Spotted Owl, the business aspect of logging versus the environmental aspect, and the role of the government in this problem. In 1973, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was passed. This enabled the Dept. ofRead MoreEvolution Of The Declining Salmon Populations1672 Words   |  7 Pagesto the impact overfishing has on the salon populations (Ruckelshaus et al., 2002, pp. 679). 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Industrial hemp was one of our ancestor’s most useful crops, but even though they use it all the time it was soon outlawed. In addition to providing a solution to deforestation industrial hemp can provide solutions to other environmental problems. The fight for more gasoline in the world around us continues. Industrial hemp me provide a solution in the future to that problem. Cannabis sativa, known as industrial hempRead MoreRenewable Energy Is Not The Answer978 Words   |  4 PagesHydroelectric dams are harmful to the habitats of many fish. For example, the Bonneville Power Administration has an expensive program of capturing fish and moving them around its Columbia River dams. Their goal is to recover and preserve the Pacific Northwest Salmon. This creates a huge cost to fisheries and causes many environmentalists to support â€Å"non-hydro renewables† (Langwith). Biofuels have been suggested as a means to supplement these sources of renewable energy. Nevertheless, there is notRead MoreFormula For Success : Rise Early, Work Hard, Strike Oil ( J. Paul Getty ) Essay1654 Words   |  7 Pagesentrepreneurs to sell canned air. In addition, Chyna’s pollution is causing a change in strength, frequency, temperature, and levels of contamination with the cyclones over the Pacific Ocean, spreading all the way to the Western United States. This process has led an increase of 7 percent overall precipitation over the Northwest Pacific. Concrete data result determined that this particular matter is producing a regional greenhouse effect, which is causing a climate change. Chyna is not all to blame; the