SNC1D Science Journal

Science is everywhere. In every food we eat, in the way we move, talk, and walk. Although it may not seem like it, chemistry is in everything and is very important to understand. The periodic table helps us with this, and allows us to understand how the elements are involved in things. Such as deforestation in Borneo.

There are many problems that are arising due to the deforestation in Borneo. It is predicted that if the island continues its current deforestation rate, the country will be severely affected by climate change. There will be an increase in floods, forest fires, negative human health impacts, changes in agricultural, and damage to the biodiversity of the ecosystem.

There are two main elements that are connected to this major global issue. Carbon dioxide and oxygen.

Carbon Dioxide – When the forests are burned in Borneo, gases are released into the atmosphere, and a major one is carbon dioxide. Whether the cut down forest naturally decomposes or is burned, carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere. It increases the amount of Carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere which is a green house gas and ultimately leads to global warming. It also causes lower rainfall, which results in more forest fires due to the dry, hot climate. But, the most important thing is the increase of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere and the decrease of live trees which reduces the amount carbon dioxide removed from the air. One acre of trees removes up to 2.6 tons of carbon dioxide each year.

Oxygen – Oxygen is an extremely important element. It is what we need to breath, move, and function. The Borneo forest was called the Earth’s Lungs, because it produced a significant amount of oxygen for our planet. However, there is a decrease of oxygen produced in the Borneo environment due to the deforestation. There are not enough trees to convert the carbon dioxide into oxygen from the massive forest fires human’s have been starting in the jungle. Those trees were releasing huge amounts of oxygen into our air for us to breath. The amount of oxygen produced by an acre of trees each year equals the amount consumed by 18 people annually. One tree produces nearly 260 pounds of oxygen each year.