What seems to be the root of the deforestation problem in North America?

Question

I believe that it is mainly becuase of people wanting to build more and more, what do you think?

Answer 1

I know that in the US, there is a negative deforestation rate, meaning trees are planted at a faster rate than they are cut down.

Deforestation is often a problem in third world countries because the logging industry is a simple and profitable one, so they use wood as a primary resource for income.

It is not a problem in the US because much of the forest that existed was cleared out hundreds of years ago. Here's a picture of the forests in the present day US before and after European arrival:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Oldgrowth3.jpg

Answer 2

Clearly we have a growing problem in this country and it is the fact that there is a political movement that pushes environmental notions of catastrophe. The problem is that they lack facts. We don't have a deforestation problem anymore than we have a tree overpopulation problem.

Answer 3

The root is our educational system, 20 year old textbooks and teachers who don't really care anymore. We are planting more quickly than harvesting.

Answer 4

I agree, I think its a real problem caused by increasing population and increased urban sprawl.

Answer 5

I think it's "attention deficit disorder" caused by weedy growth of corporate advertising.

Answer 6

Too many people rutting and popping out people who need stuff made of wood.

Answer 7

wood is the cheapest, easiest to procure, and easiest to use building material there is.