Recylcing: An Idiot's Quest (beliefs, hell, America, service, organizations)

[Runt]

Originally Posted by yossarian22

? The only reason they are not being replaced is because the governments there made forests public property and the locals are grabbing as much land as they can so they can feed their families. Enforce private property rights there and the forests will grow.

Here in the U.S., private lands account for 92% of lumber harvests.... and our forests are quite regulated, as you've pointed out. You're right; we're not likely to have a problem with our own forests being depleted in the near future. (http://www.fs.fed.us/research/rpa/20...y-Findings.pdf folks) However, put forests into private hands in nations where there is little government regulation of forests and you very well might have to kiss rainforests goodbye...

[Bishka]

Originally Posted by yossarian22

Once again, I side with feeding people over saving a bunch of colorful trees.

That's hardly what it is about.

[yossarian22]

Originally Posted by Runt

Here in the U.S., private lands account for 92% of lumber harvests.... and our forests are quite regulated. Enforce property rights in nations where there is little government regulation of forests and you very well might have to kiss rainforests goodbye.

If we don't have private property rights there, the forests will end up being converted to farmlands which, due to poor crop rotation, will end up becoming worthless and a desert will form. Enforce private property rights. The locals will not strip down the entire rain forest, because they will see that they are running out and conserve. Forests will regrow. Its happened in most areas which developed. You can see it in Europe Russia and the US. No reason why it shouldn't happen there.
Government regulations just speed that process up. I don't care if they do regulate it or they don't. It will fix itself.

[yossarian22]

Originally Posted by beckysoup61

That's hardly what it is about.

What the hell do you think the land that rain forests used to occupy is used for? Farmlands. There is no other area that has shrinking forests. Forest growth in the US exceeds forest cleared by over 20000%.

[Bishka]

Originally Posted by yossarian22

What the hell do you think the land that rain forests used to occupy is used for? Farmlands. There is no other area that has shrinking forests. Forest growth in the US exceeds forest cleared by over 20000%.

I was referring to the 'colorful trees' remark. There is not need to get snippy.

[yossarian22]

Originally Posted by beckysoup61

I was referring to the 'colorful trees' remark. There is not need to get snippy.

Colorful trees are essentially what rain forests are.

[Zeno]

Originally Posted by yossarian22

What the hell do you think the land that rain forests used to occupy is used for? Farmlands.

Actually, that is totally incorrect. Rain forest soil is actually some of the least fertile soil in the world. Nearly all the nutrients and nitrogen cycling in a rain forest occur in the canopy (which is destroyed when the land is forested). The actual soil is atrocious for farming. When rain forests are chopped down, the land is used for cattle ranching, herding, and the like.

[Zeno]

Originally Posted by yossarian22

Ethanol

Ethanol is by no means a viable solution to the fossil fuel dilemma. If we were to convert to 100% ethanol, virtually every square inch of the U.S. would have to be covered in cornfields to meet the production needs. I support ethanol research and am fully proud to pump my car with 10% ethanol, however it cannot be the final solution.

[yossarian22]

Originally Posted by Zeno

Actually, that is totally incorrect. Rain forest soil is actually some of the least fertile soil in the world. Nearly all the nutrients and nitrogen cycling in a rain forest occur in the canopy (which is destroyed when the land is forested). The actual soil is atrocious for farming. When rain forests are chopped down, the land is used for cattle ranching, herding, and the like.

It does not matter that it isn't GOOD farmland. We are not talking about industrial farming. People who farm on it are typically just growing enough food to eat. There are a sizable sum of people who live off the land. Furthermore, I consider ranching a part of farming.