This is an image of the progression of deforestation in United States. Each little dot on the map represents 25,000 acres. The image starts at the year 1620. Over half of the US was covered by forests. As time progresses to present day, we can see that the number of forests are astronomically less. There are almost no forests left today. Especially not on the Eastern side where it all once was. Deforestation can impact the US and its inhabitants on several different levels. The rate of expansion is getting almost too much to bear. Negative impacts of this have already revealed itself, whether it be climate change or extinct species.
Source: http://conservationreport.com/2009/02/24/deforestation-area-of-virgin-forest-from-1620-to-today/
Wow! That progression was really telling of the impact humans have had on the physical earth. I think it's pretty sickening how much damage people have done to the environment. And to think that in a few years it's only going to be worse. That's really sad to me.
ReplyDeleteThe artifact I found was about women grouping together to combat the negative effects humans have had on the environment. I think that the artifact I found showed the movement for women and the movement for protecting the environment. The women's movement for the environment wasn't until the 1980s but by that time the degradation of the forest was already extreme.
You brought forward a great example of environmental history. The image makes it very clear how the environment is changing throughout history. It's startling to see how much the eastern U.S. has been effected by deforestation. You can really see the human impact on the environment in the image. Because the U.S. began to develop with the settlement of the Europeans, it is clear that humans have caused this problem. In relation to deforestation, the loss of glaciers is a huge problem. Humans have released so many greenhouse gases that the earth has begun to warm. With the elimination of 1000's of acres, you can see the connection between the deforestation and global warming.
ReplyDeleteGood find!!
I think this is a great picture of how quickly the environment is changing. It is amazing how few acres of forests are left. When I was trying to find a old picture of Rocky Mount, I came across many photos that showed how the city used to be filled with trees and forests. Overtime, most forests have been dug up and replaced with buildings and roads and I think this picture shows a very accurate way of how most of eastern America was like. It is sad to see how few forests are left and quickly the ones left are being destroyed too.
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