Imagine our planet without the many beautiful, massive forests in our environment. It would be a desolate, empty, and disheartening place to live. Our planet relies on these great plants- we need trees to clean the air we pollute.

Thousands of different species of insects and animals rely on tropical rain forests, deciduous forests, and coniferous forests to survive and create a safe habitat. If we continue to destroy forests without replanting, thousands of species of animals, plants, and insects could become endangered, as well as our food supply.

Seventy percent of the world’s critters live in a forest environment, and many would not be able to survive if their habitat were destroyed by deforestation. It’s estimated by the National Geographic that the world’s rain forests could completely vanish at the rate deforestation is occurring today.

Each year, a countless number of trees are cut down from logging operations to provide the world’s paper products, lumber, and other need’s from families and businesses. Agriculture is also a major contributor to the loss of thousands of acres of trees. Farmers cut down trees to provide more land to grow crops or for grazing livestock.

However, not all deforestation is intentional. Wildfires are also a huge contributor to the loss of thousands of acres of wildlife. Dry, hot areas of the Earth are most prone to wildfires, although they can occur anywhere. This is why it is vital to put out a fire that has been started. Wildfires are extensive, can spread at remarkable speeds from the original source, and they can jump gaps such as roads and rivers. This year, because of the severe drought in California and other western states, it is estimated that the wildfire season is likely to set a record.