When you cut down trees is it killing people?

Answer 1

No. The cutting of trees can be a problem if the trees are over harvested. The cutting of trees in a managed environment though promotes additional tree growth and reduces rotting (thereby reducing output of CO2).

Selective clearing of some areas also increases agriculture space and thereby the food supply (helping people survive). North America, for example, has more trees today then 100 years ago. The forest areas we do have also contain more board feet per acre, of standing timber, because we have learned to manage the proper harvesting of trees.

The problem that sometimes erupts, is the clear cutting or burning of some rainforest areas. This can become problematic, but the countries that allow this view the issue as a needed move to prevent the loss of human life. They would strongly disagree that these actions cost lives. They would contend that they are saving lives.

Trees are certainly a valuable carbon sink, but just because they are cut down does not mean that the carbon is returning to our atmosphere. A board inside of a structure is just as much a carbon sink as the tree was, PLUS a new tree is able to replace the one removed.

Trees that die also cause CO2 to return to the atmosphere, in a method similar to burning. A rotting tree produces roughly the same CO2 as a burnt tree.

Keeping trees healthy and alive is a great idea for many reasons though. They help cool the planet (with the release of water vapor) and are awesome to view.