Rain Forest Destruction

More than half of the world's animals live in the rain forest. Many of the earth's insects are found in the tropical forests, as well. Of these inhabitants, a number are endangered animals. With each passing year, and many hundreds of thousands of acres of the forests are destroyed, more and more habitat is cut away, sending the creatures to the brink of extinction. Some startling statistics are that over an acre of rain forest is destroyed each second. That is truly incomprehensible. Within 40 years, they could be gone. Vanished from this planet. Yet, at one point in our history, rain forests covered about 14% of the earth.

Rain forests in Brazil, Indonesia and South East Asia, in particular, are impacted by logging and clearing work. Some work is done to build roads. Other times, the clearing is for farming or cattle ranching. Homes are being built in the cleared areas. Even gold and silver mining is being conducted, as well. Oil exploration and refinment work is also being done in these areas.

Removal of the trees destroys the upper canopy of the forest, taking away the homes of many birds in the rain forest. With each desecrated acre of forest land, the earth suffers potential overall climate changes, as forests are key to carbon dioxide intake from the air. Global warming impacts could accelerate with the continued deforestation of rain forests.

In addition to climate changes and animal extinction, we are threatening the culture of native peoples that live within the rain forests. These tribes are becoming exposed to new diseases with the advancement of our tractors and bulldozers into their lands. Moreover, the removal of trees can result in soil erosion and water pollution, endangering all those that live and work in the area.

The loss of native tribes, and many of the unique plants and animals that live in the deforested areas also may threaten our ability to treat illnesses and diseases. We may be wiping out future cancer cures in our rush to build roads through these pristine forests. Many indiginous tribes have medicine men with great knowledge of the medicinal values of particular plant species within the tropical forests. At least one-quarter of Western pharmaceuticals are based on ingredients from the rain forest. How many more drugs could we create from this finite resource? We may never know.

There are a number of things you can do to help. First, be a responsible consumer, and reduce, reuse, recycle! Second, make sure that you do not purchase exotic pets that may have been taken illegally from the rain forest (some types of monkeys, macaws, etc.). Third, when purchasing wood furniture, investigate the source of tropical wood to determine if it was sustainably grown. Fourth, drink shade-grown coffee, and purchase other food products grown in a sustainable manner. You can also click to give at sites like www.therainforestsite.com.

Get educated, spread the word, and be responsible! Our next generations are counting on us!