We have all heard of some of the famous United States National Parks, such as Yellowstone. People come from all around the world to visit America’s national parks, which provide breathtaking, one-of-a-kind views. They are home to diverse wildlife and natural wonders, and offer scenic hikes and activities like zip lining and rafting. However, traveling out-of-state to visit the parks can be expensive, so many put a trip on their bucket lists and get to it whenever they get to it. National parks aren’t going anywhere…right?
With the destructive effects of climate change and numerous efforts by the current administration to hinder the work of the parks, such as by freezing funding and mass layoffs, I strongly believe that national parks are now in danger. A recent executive order by President Trump aims to increase timber production in the United States by opening up national forests, going previous efforts to keep federal forests off-limits to logging.
Logging contributes massively to deforestation and as these forests are cleared, more carbon dioxide is released in the atmosphere, playing a significant role in exacerbating global warming. It is estimated that land-use changes, led by deforestation, contributes to around 12-20% of greenhouse gas emissions. Deforestation can also makes it more difficult to regulate Earth’s climate, leading to more extreme weather events, such as droughts or floods. By absorbing gaseous molecules in the air, trees also help remove air pollution, thus leading to an increase in air pollutants when they are cut down. Tree roots can also filter rainwater and absorb waterway pollutants, leading to an increase in sediment and harmful substances polluting water and making it unsafe to drink and for wildlife to inhabit following deforestation.
Climate change overall, which is exacerbated by deforestation efforts, has important social, economic and health implications, including worsening wealth inequality and the increasing spread of infectious disease.
In an interview with The Guardian, wildfire scientist Chad Hanson described Trump’s executive order calling for the expansion of timber production as the “most blatant attempt in American history by a president to hand over federal public lands to the logging industry.”
Attacks on foundational separation of powers in the United States have allowed the executive branch to forgo advice of experts and scientists. The Supreme Court’s Chevron deference ruling has increased the executive branch’s power to create unilateral environmental policy and constricts the ability of agencies to act. To this end, the administration has cancelled climate research grants and plans to cut EPA funding. Donald Trump believes in American energy economies more than he believes in the health of our wildlife and his efforts could put millions of acres at extreme risk.
Further, many indigenous communities rely on natural lands for essential resources like food, and for a connection to their culture. For example, the Yu’pik village near the western coast of Alaska are slowly seeing their lands recede due to rising water levels, forcing them inland. The Navajo Nation is running out of drinking water due to serious droughts, while the Cherokee in the Ozarks are struggling to grow traditional heirloom crops. With these impacts of climate change, their homes and resources are destroyed, leaving many indigenous people are left with no other choice but to relocate and completely desert their previous lifestyle to go to a more urban area. Forests are not infinite, and the Trump administration’s actions will ultimately displace many indigenous people from their native lands and erode their culture and way of life.
Donald Trump’s policies will not only affect indigenous reserves but will devastate all natural reserves in the United States. Our national parks that are home to millions of acres of forests attract many tourists for a variety of outdoor recreational activities. When forests are cut down, eco-tourism decreases and so does revenue: tourism to Yellowstone National Park generated over $800 million for the local community. Not to mention, the increase in the intensity of natural disasters as a result deforestation and climate change destroys homes and infrastructure and can lead to economic strain.
Trump’s push for increased domestic timber production, the prioritization of logging over conservation of the environment and the fight against climate change will cause irreversible damage. Our forests function for far more than short-term economic gain and the “creation of jobs,” and if we keep taking advantage of them, the consequences will be irreparable.
The most important action we can take is to make our voices heard to elected officials. Contact members of Congress and encourage them to take action to oppose these dangerous efforts, whether by proposing new legislation or voting against environmentally dangerous bills. We must protect our public lands before it becomes too late.
Giuliana Opris is a freshman from Long Island, N.Y. studying Film and Media Studies and Political Science.
