Reversing Deforestation Is Complicated; Planting a Tree Is Simple

Dianna Vassallo

Gov. Martin O'Malley (Of Maryland)

Posted: 04/30/2012

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gov-martin-omalley/reversing-deforestation-i_b_1465102.html

Picture: This picture shows the results of deforestation in the United states. Deforestation leaves a once beautifully green land bare and torn up. 

Summary: The future of Earth is in the hands of those who chose to destroy forests, or help replant. As the title states, stopping deforestation is not an easy task, but planting a tree isn't complicated. Maryland has decided to take on this task of re-growing, Marylanders say they consider themselves "pro-growth" Americans. Not only do they wish to grow trees, they also want to grow stream buffers, and food. Unfortunately their mission may not be achievable, because first they must find out whether or not we have the capacity to grow. Maryland is beginning it's journey to cleaning up their bit of earth by upgrading to a better sewage treatment technology, and starting better farming practices. A goal they are setting is to have 40 percent of their land covered by trees and forests by 2020.

Reaction: It's really amazing that a state that is very close by to us is beginning to implement such great goals. I was surprised that this article/letter from Gov. Martin O'Malley mentioned many of the things we learned in class. Before environmental science, I had never heard of a buffer zone. Yet Maryland is beginning to grow more stream buffers, along with trees. It also connected to class because they're trying to clean up their sewage, which eventually ends up in local water ways. This is very inspiring, and since it isn't too far away, it makes me think, why don't we try this too? Pennsylvania means "Penn's Woods", how about we try to restore that name and plant a few trees.

Questions

1. Do you think we should make similar goals? If so, what should be the same, and what else could we add?

2. What kind of things would help make this dream of stopping deforestation a reality? 

3.Would you help make a change? What would you do?

4. Do you think these goals are achievable? What could stop them from achieving these goals?

:)