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In Haiti, deforestation has been a major problem contributing to other environmental problems such as climate change, soil erosion, global gas emission, and more. The combination of poor infrastructure and deforestation have intensified the effects of hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods. Only 2% of Haiti’s original trees exist and rates of deforestation in Haiti are one of the highest in Latin America. The demand for trees to be cut stem from the Haitians reliance on wood for cheap, accessible energy and that plots are needed to support the two-fifths of the Haitian population that rely on agriculture. As trees are being cut, there are less trees absorbing the carbon dioxide in the air. Also, since Haitians rely on burning charcoal from the wood that is cut, this also adds to the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These greenhouse gases have led to climate change which have raised temperatures and increased chances of hurricanes in this area. When these hurricanes occur, floods are often accompanied since there is no topsoil to hold the rain. Soil degradation from deforestation has had a negative toll on the environment because it can worsen droughts, increase the chances of floods during rainfall, as well as lower the productivity of crops. When trees are cut, the topsoil erodes which can also affect the trees surrounding them since nutrients are being stripped from the soil.
The U.S. Government’s solution to Haiti’s deforestation is to support agro-forestry programs like training Haitian farmers in the production of nursery tree seedlings. In 2011, the U.S. Government, trained over 1,200 people in natural resource management and conservation and in 2012, multiple programs were implemented to plant tree seedlings. However, a portion of these seedlings did not grow because the topsoil was eroded from previous deforestation hindering the seedlings of important nutrients. While it is important to educate farmers on the crucial topic of deforestation, many farmers will ignore these warnings since they are trying to grow crops for a living. These farmers will still clear out land, in order to maintain their wages despite the environmental effects.
Another solution for this problem is to reduce Haiti’s dependence on firewood and charcoal as energy resources. Often times, Haitians will burn firewood for their stovetops which adds to air pollution and endangers their respiratory health. Two organizations called POET and Project Gaia are working together to supply ethanol to Haitians to power clean stoves. This ethanol will be made in the U.S. and will be a much cleaner alternative to the firewood and charcoal that is commonly used throughout Haiti. With another energy resource, less wood will be used as an energy resource and deforestation rates will decrease. The only problem will be accessibility. Unlike firewood, Haitians will have to wait for the imports of ethanol to reach Haiti from the U.S. which may interfere with their day to day lifestyle.
SOURCES:
"Haiti Environment." Environment. United States Agency of International Development, 13 Oct. 2015. Web. 10 Dec. 2015. <https://www.usaid.gov/haiti/environment>.
Burger, Andrew. "Deforestation Slows Economic Recovery in Haiti." Triple Pundit People Planet Profit. Triple Pundit, 14 Jan. 2015. Web. 10 Dec. 2015. <http://www.triplepundit.com/2015/01/deforestation-slows-recovery-haiti/>.
"Iowa Ethanol Part of Project to Help End Deforestation in Haiti." Radio Iowa. Radio Iowa, 09 Feb. 2015. Web. 10 Dec. 2015. <http://www.radioiowa.com/2015/02/09/iowa-ethanol-part-of-project-to-help-end-deforestation-in-haiti/>.
The U.S. Government’s solution to Haiti’s deforestation is to support agro-forestry programs like training Haitian farmers in the production of nursery tree seedlings. In 2011, the U.S. Government, trained over 1,200 people in natural resource management and conservation and in 2012, multiple programs were implemented to plant tree seedlings. However, a portion of these seedlings did not grow because the topsoil was eroded from previous deforestation hindering the seedlings of important nutrients. While it is important to educate farmers on the crucial topic of deforestation, many farmers will ignore these warnings since they are trying to grow crops for a living. These farmers will still clear out land, in order to maintain their wages despite the environmental effects.
Another solution for this problem is to reduce Haiti’s dependence on firewood and charcoal as energy resources. Often times, Haitians will burn firewood for their stovetops which adds to air pollution and endangers their respiratory health. Two organizations called POET and Project Gaia are working together to supply ethanol to Haitians to power clean stoves. This ethanol will be made in the U.S. and will be a much cleaner alternative to the firewood and charcoal that is commonly used throughout Haiti. With another energy resource, less wood will be used as an energy resource and deforestation rates will decrease. The only problem will be accessibility. Unlike firewood, Haitians will have to wait for the imports of ethanol to reach Haiti from the U.S. which may interfere with their day to day lifestyle.
SOURCES:
"Haiti Environment." Environment. United States Agency of International Development, 13 Oct. 2015. Web. 10 Dec. 2015. <https://www.usaid.gov/haiti/environment>.
Burger, Andrew. "Deforestation Slows Economic Recovery in Haiti." Triple Pundit People Planet Profit. Triple Pundit, 14 Jan. 2015. Web. 10 Dec. 2015. <http://www.triplepundit.com/2015/01/deforestation-slows-recovery-haiti/>.
"Iowa Ethanol Part of Project to Help End Deforestation in Haiti." Radio Iowa. Radio Iowa, 09 Feb. 2015. Web. 10 Dec. 2015. <http://www.radioiowa.com/2015/02/09/iowa-ethanol-part-of-project-to-help-end-deforestation-in-haiti/>.