As the days of the 2011 hurricane season pass slowly, we thought it would be worthwhile to look back a some of the problems caused by deforestation. Haiti has less than 2% of it’s original tree cover still standing. Each time it rains, the water rushes down the mountainside, unencumbered by trees or shrubs, into the low lying valleys and plains, where the people live. And, die.

These pictures emerged in the days following hurricane Ike in 2008. Since then, Haiti has weathered additional tropical storms and hurricanes, and, of course, the earthquake in January 2010. Help us, help the people of Haiti plant trees. Donate now.