Final answer:
Deforestation is a critical environmental issue causing an increase in greenhouse gas levels and contributing to climate change. It reduces forests' carbon sink function, while the burning of fossil fuels adds to atmospheric CO2 levels. Solutions include afforestation, reforestation, and promoting natural regeneration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Deforestation is a significant environmental issue that has accelerated due to human activities such as the need for agricultural land, timber, and other resources. The loss of trees at a rate that outpaces their natural regeneration capacity leads to a decreased ability to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas crucial in climate regulation. The burning of fossil fuels compounds this issue by releasing additional carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide into the atmosphere, contributing to an enhanced carbon cycle and climate change. Forests act as carbon sinks, storing carbon that would otherwise contribute to greenhouse gas levels. Solutions such as afforestation, reforestation, and natural regeneration are proposed to mitigate the negative impacts of deforestation.