Forests and Livelihood 181
Forests and Livelihood
Forests are an important source of livelihood. Some governments and
international organizations say the greatest damage to forests is caused by
poor people who cut down trees to farm or earn their livelihood in other ways.
But when people do not have enough food, income, or other basic needs, the
need to survive becomes more important than the need to preserve forests.
Sometimes people have no choice but to cut trees, whether to clear new
farmland or to harvest firewood and lumber. The blame for forest destruction
is rarely placed on industries that take huge amounts of wood or cut down
forests for mining, oil exploration, or industrial plantations.
When people’s daily needs are met they are better able to think about the
future, including how to care for the environment. People who live in and care
for forests know there are many ways to earn a living from the
forest without causing too much damage.
Deforestation causes poverty and poverty causes more deforestation.
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012