Sometimes, we are overwhelmed by the extent of damage humans have caused, and we are not sure if an individual can make an impact.

Yes, you can. There are millions of people just like you who are learning about the issue and taking little steps to help. Additionally, many governments, organizations, and societies are making great strides in helping to reduce deforestation and encouraging forest plantations.

But there is still a lot to do.

Due to the extent and nature of forest destruction, efforts to stop deforestation and preserve them are more effective at government and organization levels. This means that laws, rules, and regulations from countries can help to enforce the preservation of forests. Legislation on farming, timber, and wood, as well as land use, must be encouraged and enforced.

Here are a few things you can also do to help.

• Make a conscious effort to share information with others (friends at school and family members) on deforestation and its effects. Some of your friends may laugh at you and say it is silly to think that you can solve problems like this. But that is OK because things work better when responsible people don’t give up. Stand up for what you believe.
• Join organizations, forest-preservation societies, and pressure groups that aim to help preserve the rest of our natural resources. When more people work together, the impact is better.
• Reduce the use of artificial items, recycle more and re-use items. Things like wood, paper, plastics, and many other things we use every day at home can be linked to natural resources. That means if we all recycle more, there will be less dependence on the environment (and trees). It also means that companies and governments will import fewer raw-materials from the forest regions of the world.

Here is a fun way to remember the most important points in forest preservation called TREES which means…

• Teach others about the importance of the environment and how they can help save rainforests.
• Restore damaged ecosystems by planting trees on land where forests have been cut down.
• Encourage people to live in a way that does not hurt the environment.
• Establish parks to protect rainforests and wildlife.
• Support companies that operate in ways that minimize damage to the environment.