Deforestation in Carpathians
The Carpathian Mountains are a mountain chain in Eastern Europe that located in few countries including the west of Ukraine. Just two hours on the train from the city in which I live, Lviv, and you are there to enjoy the snow and fresh air. Far away from the city hustle, it is a great retreat, especially now in off-peak season.
Unfortunately every time I come to these grand peaks, the signs of deforestation are more and more visible. That is the first thing that comes to mind when talking about these beautiful mountains. Deforestation
Ironically sitting at the dinner table in a beautiful castle-like hotel, that is exactly the conversation I overheard; how many cubic meters of timber somebody going to sell and what equipment to buy for dragging timber. Hoping I was wrong in my assumptions they were talking about illegal sells but it’s my understanding that one isn’t really supposed to sell timber unless it is the lowest quality for fire logs. So, I could not resist saying loud enough for those conversants to hear, "Just hoping those who cut forest know what they are doing".
Because you can do it right. Our forests are a renewable resource and need to be managed as such. You don’t clear cut entire acreages and count on seedlings to restore it. You either leave it totally alone or you tend it like you would your own garden, which includes giving the trees the room to grow. This in itself makes forests more enhancing for human beings. And we already know the health benefits of green space. West Ukraine also suffers from rainwater flooding and mudflows as the forest that usually protects from those gone in certain areas.
I’m sorry to say that with timber in Ukraine, it seems no one thinks about the future or apparently about other resources, like minerals. I saw an interesting video on Ukrainian YouTube where they asked two guys who participated in Ukraine’s 2017 Amber Rush if they got richer. No they said, they spent all they earned. Makes you wonder if it was worth it as those like them left devastated naked land behind.
About a month ago I watched David Attenborough’s "Life on Our Planet." While I admire Sir David’s perspective and his magnificent body of work, I'm reluctant to agree with his idea that the decreased population will solve problems. Yes, in some parts of the world maybe there is the problem of overpopulation. But not everywhere and even if so, the appropriate and wise use of natural resources can mitigate that. We have so much potential in other energy sources like solar, wind, tidal, hydro, and methane.
All this is powered by human beings whose motives are often courtesy of Mixmaster. Too often, it is the greed of corporate business which drives this. And in a consumer driven economy, our own unrealistic needs make us culpable. I was very disappointed to read Report Alleges Illegal Timber From Ukraine Used In Popular IKEA Products
To raise awareness on the deforestation of the Carpathians isn’t easy. It is controversial and it is dangerous to do this. One of my acquaintances was even threatened for this. As long as government regulations remain too week for this to happen, it will be like this. Now, the only a systematic constructive approach will help.
Each nation must find its own way, which is why I disagree with David Attenborough when he uses Japan as a model of what could, should, might or will happen. Reducing the population will not solve our planetary problems.
Changing the way we live and relate to this living host will.