The Economics of Deforestation


Heavy deforestation began in Mexico during World War II as farmers and peasants moved deeper into forests to grow their crop in response to demand for agricultural exports. It is predicted that in the next 70 to 75 years, all forests in Mexico will disappear. As big of an issue as this problem is, little is being done. The impressive economic yields from farming is slowing efforts to prevent deforestation. Despite the financial benefits that are seen through deforestation, it needs to be slowed if Mexico wishes to defend it ecosystems and slow down drug trade.

With deforestation comes the inevitable destruction of the natural ecosystem. Monarch butterflies lose their wintering grounds. Avocados that are planted in deforested regions use up water that other organisms in the ecosystem would have used. Excessive use of chemicals in agriculture cause toxic waste to spread throughout the forests. When all of these events occur in combination, the environment that remains is bleak and these forests deteriorate even further.

Not only are natural ecosystems harmed, but the extensive drug trade in the nation flourishes alongside deforestation. Narcotic traffickers use economic yields from farming to blackmail farmers into giving them a share of the revenue. This causes farmers to plant more crops to gain the same amount of profit. In turn, more plots of farmable land are needed, hence more deforestation. At the same time, drug cartels destroy forests to establish routes to transport their drug.

It is necessary to establish a balance between the environment and the needs of the Mexican population. To achieve this, a resolution must be met with farmers that benefits both sides. The government should also invest in hiring more qualified forest guards to prevent narcotic traffickers from blackmailing farmers and to prevent illegal deforestation. Our environment is a priceless treasure, and preserving nature must go hand in hand with profit.

Sources :
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/apr/15/central-america-deforestation-mexico-drugs-war
https://www.encyclopedia.com/earth-and-environment/ecology-and-environmentalism/environmental-studies/activism
https://www.seattletimes.com/business/mexico-deforestation-for-avocados-much-higher-than-thought/

Comments

  1. AnonymousApril 25, 2019 at 1:18 AM

    Nice post Sophia! I agree with you in that the best solution to this problem involves a balanced resolution that caters to the needs of both the farmers as well as the ecosystem. In regards to the narcotic trafficker issue, I think that the government needs to use its police and military personnel to get rid of them.

    ReplyDelete

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