Trees are of vital importance. Unfortunately, too few of us realize this. As a result, vast tracts of forests are being cut down across the world in the name of economic progress of for personal needs. What people might not realize is that they are altering the local and global weather patterns, the climate and are influencing the fresh water supply when they cut down trees. Additionally, flash floods and mud slides become more frequent when hills are deforested, endangering entire communities. Fertile top soil also becomes more prone to erosion when forests disappear, leading to decreases in crop yields. Finally, entire ecosystems are impacted when their natural habitat is cut away. This book provides a global overview of how mankind has cut and is cutting away the earth ́s forests and highlights some of the devastating and lasting effects that are associated with this loss. This book is based on hundreds of newspaper articles, scientific papers, governmental and non-governmental sources.If you have an e-reader, please consider the e-book and don ́t buy a paper version to make a difference.