With the current rate of deforestation, how long before we're out of breathable air?

Answer 1

It will not happen. Major exchange of CO² and O² cycles are happening in the oceans through fitoplanctons and algaes, like sargaces.
Forests are more important to other wearther factors like temperature, humidity and rain.

All countries are replacing natural forests by Pinus Eliotys to produce paper (Ah, beloved and onipresent paper). Huge amount of forests. Less biodiversity but a lot of green.

Do not forget all grass and gardens everywhere around the world.

Deflorestation from RainForests is more due the high prices and avid North America and European wood market than everything else (Considering South America). Huge rainforests In south Asia is due more complex context: Wood and area to expand pop/industries.

Rapa Nui, Easter island (Best empiric example about ecological disaster)

Answer 2

Are we running out of air?...yes. the population is increasing and the amount of O2 producing and CO2 removal sources are dropping. But deforestation is not the only issue. And while it's awful and we need to either get it under control or start replanting, the larger issue is our oceans. We are killing our Oceans and the plankton in the Ocean produces far more O2 than all of the forests in the world. Replacing all of that plankton is going to be much harder than replanting forests. I think that we should focus energy on Ocean repair.

One other point which seems that everyone is missing...

Have you noticed that we keep increasing the CO2 that goes into the atmosphere creating global warming while we're removing the processes that remove the CO2, plants and plankton. It's all connected.

Answer 3

It will be a long time before we suffocate. However, the build up of carbon dioxide and methane in the air will cause major climate change over the next century, sea level will rise and we'll all be wiped out by war fighting over who gets the higher ground.

Answer 4

wont happen - deforestation is only a small (though important) part of any cycle concerned with oxygen, plus as a species we only use effectivly a small percentage of the available oxygen we breath in (we are not as efficient as we think!). There are other more pressing problems that are concerned with the downfall of mankind/civilisation which will probably get us before any oxygen crisis.

Answer 5

It is a hoax that the rain forest are vanishing. I worked for a company in Ecuador and they spent 1 million dollars per month to keep the jungle from taking back the roads. The jungle is so aggressive that I have Sean post for a fence sprout and grow . The plants of earth is doing us a fantastic job. Reprocessing our air and fossil fuels.

Answer 6

Whats the time now ?

Answer 7

It wont be long now.