Clear More ForestCause More Climate Change

Overall, the world's forest ecosystems are estimated to store more carbon than the entire atmosphere(Greenfacts, 2007).

Daya Tete Lacle

Turn Down The Heat

By acting now, acting together and acting differently, we will be able to transition to a low emissions, climate resilient development path and hold warming below 2°C.

Source: WDR 2010: Development and Climate Change

Clearing More Forest Will Cause More Climate Change...

Clearing More Forest

Cause More

Climate Change

Deforestation in Ghana has undoubtedly had an effect

on greenhouse gas emission contributions from

Ghana. The cumulative effect of the volume of carbon

dioxide emitted into the atmosphere annually from

clearing and burning of forests in Ghana over the last

century has surely had devastating effects on the

world's climate. when forest are burnt, the carbon

stored in trees are released into the atmosphere via

carbon dioxide gas coming from the burning of

biomass.

When our forest are allowed to stand, carbon is

removed from the atmosphere and absorbed in

wood, leaves and soil. Due to the ability of forests

to absorb and store carbon over an extended

period of time, they serve as “carbon sinks”. In

effect, when forests are removed, this unique role

that they play to keep carbon dioxide

concentrations in the atmosphere at normal levels

is lost and rather the carbon stored in them is

released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide

gas, upon burning. Overall, the world's forest

ecosystems are estimated to store more carbon than the

entire atmosphere (Greenfacts, 2007).

From 1990 to 2000 and to 2004, carbon dioxide emissions in

Ghana have increased steadily from 0.2419 to 0.3075 and to

0.326 metric tonnes per capita, respectively (UNEP, 2008). This

is not surprising considering the deforestation rate and how

“slash and burn” method of farmland preparation is widely

practised all over Ghana. Unfortunately, as we contribute to

2

climate change through deforestation, Climate change will in turn affect the remaining forests

profoundly through increasing damage to forest health through proliferation of forest fires, pests

and diseases (FAO, 2007).

Unfortunately, both the “1948 Forest Policy” and the “1994 Forest and Wildlife Policy” had no real

policy direction on climate change. Let's assume that at the time these policies were developed.

climate change was not a 'major issue'. This means at it stands now these policies can not help in

mitigation and/or adaptation to climate change which is a major environmental issue. At this

juncture, I think a review of Ghana's forest and wildlife policy is long overdue

3

4