Deforestation, Natural Disasters and Humans Haiti: Where have all the trees gone?

What is deforestation? Photo: Nick Hobgood via FlickrPhoto: Trees for the Future via Flickr The act or process of clearing forests.clearing

Haiti Mountainous – prone to landslides 22% decline in forest cover since 1990; had already cleared 99.2% of original forest One of the most deforested countries in the world Poorest country in Western Hemisphere - 50% live on $1 a day

Photograph courtesy NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio Left side = Haiti Right side = Dominican Republic

Group exploration of articles

“Hurricanes deepen misery in poorest corners of Latin America” – The Canadian Press CAUSE Devastating storm season because of inadequate disaster planning and years of environmental mismanagement. Region have been left vulnerable to destruction because of storms due to deforestation. EFFECT Storms and exposure to extreme weather conditions kill many people every year, and displace many more. Major storms destroy the countries infrastructure. SOLUTIONS The best solution is to equip the higher risk areas with buildings that can withstand the deadly storms. The roads and drainage systems need to be replaced with modern infrastructure. Help from the international community is vital because a lot of these countries cant afford these changes on their own. Other comments/key points: Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere.

“Haiti: In Need of Trees” – American Forests CAUSE - lack of trees because they cut them all down EFFECT -Flooding -90% of Haiti is deforested SOLUTIONS -Importing propane or wood to hold off further environmental destruction -Plant more trees -UN patrolling the forests to prevent further cutting down of trees Other comments/key points: Trees help control run off by soaking water through their roots and providing support against erosion.

“Red Cross assists aid distribution in Haiti” – Marko Kokic CAUSE - Flood -Landslides EFFECT - Landslides -Houses destroyed -No food -No clean water -Destruction of crops and livestock -Roads were torn up and there was no way out of the cities. SOLUTIONS -Red Cross made a path for cars -Given rice, cooking oil, white soy from the Red Cross -Put water tablets into the contaminated water. One gallon of water for each family. -Haitian Red Cross organized a football match to raise money with Mapou’s best players. Other comments/key points: 3days; they distributed 2 weeks of food rations to 3000 familys or people in the villages of Mapou.

“UN troops struggle in Haitian Aid Effort” – Winnipeg Free Press CAUSE Tropical storm Jeanne. Swamped with torrential rains that turned roads into rivers and mudslides. No electricity or running water. EFFECT People were left homeless. Survivors fighting for food. 30 were shot. People were getting very sick, wounds getting infected. Some contracted gangrene were killed were left homeless. SOLUTIONS Need more than twice the 300 peace keepers in place in Haiti. Increase the number of food distribution places. More doctors and better conditioned hospitals. Other comments/key points:

“After the earthquake: Haiti's deforestation needs attention” – Moises Velasquez-Manoff CAUSE Major 7.0 earthquake Deforestation Rivers drying up EFFECT - Massive amounts of damage -floods, -Landslides -death (300 people) -Larger amounts of CO2 -Less animal habitats/extinction of species -Lack of roots (landslides) - Lack of water -creates living issues -loss of a needed natural resources SOLUTIONS World Aid Planting new trees, stopping deforestation Save water as you can. Use this resource wisely Jatropha tree- used as biofuels Extreme poverty Briquettes- recycled paper as fuel

“A Tree Grows in Haiti” -Jeneen Interlandi CAUSE Deforestation EFFECT Worse impact on the country when tropical storms hit. Massive amounts of rainfall, because the soil is not held together by the tress so the land is more susceptible to mudslides. SOLUTIONS Reforestation Other comments/key points:

Causes of Deforestation in Haiti Population growth Photo: melindayiti via Flickr Topography Weather Poverty

Possible Causes Population increase Slash and Burn Commercial Logging Cash Crops Subsistence living Political upheaval Cheap fuel source US Oil Embargo Possible Effects Species Problems Soil erosion Flooding and Landslides Climate Change Air pollution Loss of tourism dollars Destruction of fishing industry Poor soil Economic instability Hunger

Possible Solutions Tree planting Photo: Trees for the Future photostream via Flickr Alternative energy Foreign investment Political stability Foreign government aid Grafting fruit trees