Deforestation Environment and Sustainable Development

According to available estimates forests cover more than one quarter of the world''s total area. About sixty percent of these forests are situated in tropical countries. However these forests are disappearing at a very fast pace. Between 1980 and 1995 an area larger than Mexico had been deforested. This accelerated destruction of forests poses a serious threat to the environmental and economic well-being of the earth. Several studies have demonstrated that natural forests are the single most important repository of terrestrial biological diversity--of ecosystems species and genetic resources. Forests also act as major carbon sinks absorbing massive quantities of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Deforestation according to these studies is directly linked to adverse climate change soil erosion desertification and water cycling. Until recently deforestation was deemed to be a local/national problem. However increased awareness and scientific data have pointed out that the problem transcends national boundaries. Deforestation affects the entire earth''s environment and economic development.This collection of essays analyzes the forces responsible for deforestation the governmental policies that effect this destruction and the roles multilateral aid agencies NGOs play in the environmental debate. The collection critically examines the principles and criteria suggested by forest-experts for a sustained economic growth vis--vis forest stewardship in Latin America Asia Africa and the Middle East. An invaluable resource for scholars students researchers and policymakers involved with environmental and public policy issues.