Rainforest Destruction: We Need to Save the Rain Forest
96Why is it Important to Save the Rain Forest?
© Stephanie Hicks 2008
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. We need to stop the rain forest destruction!
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. Rain forest destruction is happening at an alarming rate, for indefensible reasons.
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 rain forest destruction rate.
Capuchin Monkey
Rain Forest Health is Important to Our Health
In addition to climate changes and animal extinction, we are threatening the culture of native peoples that live within the rain forests with continued rain forest destruction. 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 if we continue to allow the rain forest destruction.
Help Save the Rain Forest
What Can You Do?
There are a number of things you can do to help stop the rain forest destruction. 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!
Internet Resources to Get You Motivated and Thinking About Rain Forest Destruction
- Tropical Rainforest Animals
Startling statistics of the rate of rain forest deforestation and its impacts - Rain Forest Facts
Startling information about the rate at which rain forests are disappearing, including the animals that live within them - Causes of Rain Forest Destruction
- Think Quest.org
Information about the destruction of the world's rain forests - Kids' Fact Sheet - Things to Do to Save the Rain Forest
Save the Rain Forests!
If the rain forest destruction is upsetting to you - find out what you can do to save it, and many more environmental tips and advice at www.peachygreen.com.
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This is so scary! My son asked me to write this hub, and I'll tell you quite honestly, I was getting a bit emotional at times. Watch the videos. Arrrgh!
Again an amazing hub Steph. The thought of all that beauty disappearing actually causes me physical pain.
Great hub regards Zsuzsy
Yes, the videos are true. This is the worst thing - lose the forests and we lose all of our air.
In the US West, planting projects in the desert are under way, so all is not lost.
I feel so BAD about the birch tree I killed as a child because I did not know that peeling off the bark all the way around would kill it. Why aren't we taught to take care of trees in elementary school?
this is another great trargedy, great hub.
Great question, Patty! Why? Zsuzsy... I had pain writing this. I wasn't sure I could get through all the facts. I had to just put in summaries and link to the rest. It is so disturbing. Thanks Bob. I so completely agree!
This is the kind of stuff which makes me lose sleep!! Really"
Great hub and thumbs up to you and your son!
"At least one-quarter of Western pharmaceuticals are based on ingredients from the rain forest." thi sis very scary, imagine all the possible cures and mediciines that we will be missing out on in the future...
Thank you Compu-Smart and Johnngd. I lose sleep over this too. I wish more people would sit up and take notice! Steph
This is a great hub Steph - such a challenging situation.
Man is a big destructor of the environment.
Very serious matter we have to think about this globally.
Thanks for reading and commenting amy jane, topstuff and himalayan. It is indeed challenging and serious. I hope we can slow or stop the destruction soon.
great site! I went to the rainforest site and clicked. I'll be back. Do you hae a way Ican post your button for a clck through from a green site am working on as I write this.
Hi Organized Living - thank you! Do you want to link to my hub, or only to the save the rainforest site? In either event, when you are editing your text, highlight the words that you wish people to click on and then hit the little chain to create a hyperlink. Insert the URL (either for this Hub, or for another website). Good luck! Steph
Hi Steph I already have you linked on my page thnks to the hubpage catagories. however I am now going to add a permanent link to your hub TY.
Iwanted something that wouldtake people straight through to the sponsored click and save the rainforest page. really thought that was agreat idea. I know how to do it but i was wondering if they have an official affilaite/sponsor pogram
The picture that you called a squirrel monkey is actualy a cappacin monkey.
Great hub though. Suirrel monkey's are much smaller and are blonde with black markings on their heads.
spelled it wrong lol capuchin monkey.
Thank you Ariel! (misled by Google images...LOL)
Straphanie, thank you for writing on this very HOT matter, these days. I simply cannot believe, how the greatest superpowers of this planet cannot protect these 'lungs of our planet' with absolutely all resources available. Why to posses the most modern weaponry and ultra skilled soldiers, if there are a few individual farmers in Amazon area, who are literally destroying the Amazon rain forest and native tribes there, as well. (I know, that's the topic for the President)?
Ervin, I agree. It will take an organized consortium of governments to recognize the rainforest as a wonderous natural resource on which the planet depends, just like polar ice caps. There have been some influential entertainers that have taken this on as a personal cause, but more information needs to be disseminated and more pressure needs to be made before its too late (if it is not already). If the world is truly concerned about Global Warming, which I believe it is, then we have to look at all sides of the equation. Cut emissions, but also retain significant vegetation that helps to clear the clogging CO2 out of our air.
Save a natural habitat
This is a capuchin monkey
a great hub, and thanks to your son who asked you to write this hub. It educates people and shows us the facts on how terrible the destruction of our rainforests are.
Hi midnightbiiss and thank you! My son is very sensitive to environmental issues (must get it from his mom). It is worth considering, even if the facts are distressing! Steph
god
Great hub. My life is lived in and around the forests of Ireland. They affect me very deeply... I can't imagine what this planet would be like without its magnificent forests. Maybe I will see the rain forest one day ;-)
good Pic
the really ironic thing about this is the farther we (the superior race) keep going with destroying these rain forests, the closer we are to killing ourselves. It's for the most part kinda patheitc how stubborn people are we can't get together and think of a way to give and take equally.
so save trees for a better future
Rain Forest Land
The cattle may graze Where once was jungle maze
Where panthers and monkeys did roam
We will see them no more On new pastures galore
Have beef cattle and gauchos their home
Oh Rain Forest Land You have lost to the progress of Man
Your virginal hills Don't pay any bills
But grasslands bring cash in like sand
The trees have been burned Nature’s way overturned
Precious topsoil eroded away Some discouraging word
Can often be heard ‘Cause black smoke covers sky all the day
Oh new desert land Global warming will soon be at hand
We better take heed Exploitation and greed
Soon may cause the extinction of Man
The climate will change Way back home on the range
Many floods will cause problems galore
The once fertile land will be barren sand
Heavy rainstorms will fall more and more
Oh Rain Forest Son All your birthrights are virtually gone
Since you moved to the town do you often feel down?
When you see that your forests are gone?
There still might be hope If we manage to cope
And replenish those vanishing trees
If our forests may live We can pray God will give
All Mankind on His earth a new lease
Oh Rainforest Land Your herbs might give new cures to Man
Before its too late We must reinstate
All that bounty we had from God’s hand
Hi Steph and thanks for this hub!
It is very informative and provides a lot of value.
The question of what can be done is an important one.
Going to Prince Charles rain-forest site and posting something there is one thing.Another thing is to check out a Company i am with with called The Amazon Herb Company.Over 1,000,000 acres have been saved so far.It is using the model of sustainable agriculture and places a great value on the healing plants of the region.
My prayer at this point is for the climate talks to bear real fruit and that more and more we take a stand at this critical time of our planet and all its inhabitants.
I personally do not think rainforest Depletion is a big deal. IMO its just trees. animals can find a new place to live i understand when people say What if someone destroyed my house well TBH i did not make my house in about 20 minutes
aw just shut up okay
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one losing sleep over this. I am literally afraid now that we will die of suffocation from destroying all the trees. This is so much more serious than the majority of people realize. We are literally paving paradise. So much land is required to graze cattle, I'm thinking of becoming a vegetarian, but I'll probably continue to eat some type of meat once and occasionally twice a week. Otherwise I get the worst cravings (probably wouldn't happen if I could eat really good nutritious Indian food everyday), By the way, recently learned that acres of Rainforest are being destroyed to plant palm trees for oil that goes into Cheerios amongst other things. It's probably not safe to eat anything grown in tropical climates...chocolate, vanilla, palm oil, certain spices, unless you research the company and make sure that it is sustainably grown. I hope we can turn back the tide and survive to the ends of our lives, and that our children can survive and thrive. Another thing, the more human beings there are, the more natural resources we're going to need. Please consider having two or less children to minimize population growth, even if you yourself have plenty of money and love and time to give. There are plenty of orphans out there who wouldn't necessarily fulfill the urge to reproduce, but could certainly fulfill you in other ways, such as loving you, you getting to watch them grow up, etc. Also, consider the value of supporting a child in his or her home country, and how great it could be to know you're positively impacting someone on the other side of the world.
Definitely a part of "Mother Earth" that needs protected! Great hub!
Thank you Michael! I agree - the rain forest is a precious resource and more people need to think about protecting it for the future of our Earth!
"we are threatening the culture of native peoples that live within the rain forests with contined rain forest destruction"
Give me a break! The native peoples are cutting down trees to sustain their own culture! They want farmland, firewood, places to live, and shelter. Who are you to try and stop them? Are you entitled to basic human rights while somehow they are not? Can they bunk with you?
Everybody says "oh, animals can find a new home", no they can't. Certain animals can only live in the rainforest. This is what will cause the end of the world... us.
This is a great site full of useful facts and is very eye opening . I came acrossed this while looking for facts for a essay on a world issue. But I think this is foolishnish thye rainforst is saving the lives of the ones that are chopping down tree's and taking homes away form animals that may not be able to live in places other then the rain forest. THIS NEEDS TO STOP , NOW !
The assumption that Man is somehow not as natural and integral a part of the Earth as Whales or Capuchin Monkeys is ridiculous. Do we see termite colony protesters holding little signs that say "Save the Tree!"? Do we chastise Blue Whales when the devour as many as 40 million krill in a day? (Oh, the Humanity!)
I also read in the comments section somewhere that Bulldozers carry diseases. WHAT?
By and large, the people who are making the most use of the rain forests are the people who are native to them. Who are we to begrudge them the use of their own resources?
Every time some sanctimonious do-gooder gets it their head to "Save the fill-in-the-blank" they never pause to consider all the unintended consequences. They're only out to look good to their other pompous friends.
When "Silent Spring" made it's High Society debut, and DDT was condemned -all very wrongly, using bad science and worse leaps of illogic- as a Bad Thing, unaffected do-gooders here in the States rejoiced. Never mind the millions of people (women, children and the elderly, mostly) who have died horrible deaths from mosquito born malaria. They didn't live in Manhattan, so the do-gooders didn't have to watch them die.
The Amazon Rain Forest is still very much the same size it was 70 years ago. Back in 1976, while attending a Bicentennial event at a local museum, I was told about how the Amazon Rain Forest had less than 20 years to go before it was completely clear-cut.
Do you people have NO idea how fast Rain Forests replenish themselves? We used to call them Jungles, which is what your front lawn will become of you don't mow it for a year. Remember what all those Sun Dependent plantforms do when a large tree falls in the forest? They fight fast hard and dirty to establish themselves in the glorious solar radiation. In less than a blink, the scar left by a fallen tree is completely filled in.
Dry your tears, forget your fears. The Rain Forests are just fine, and the people who use them for their own benefits would die of starvation and exposure if we followed this "conservation" to its logical conclusion.
Yer it is a big issue but we need to think about how it will affect people and aniamals in the areas
i like girl :)
in approximately 50-100 years the amazon rainforest will nearley be completely cleared if logging continues the way it is:(
Great information!!
Rainforests used to cover 14% of the Earth's surface around 50 years ago, and now only cover 6% to the present day. :)
need more about rainforest conservation. :)
NEEDS PROTECTION!!
Committing to population control would do more than any other single thing to save the planet!
Keep up the good work!
Voted UP/Awesome
Thank you Terry! I agree that there are so many things we can do to help save the planet. Cheers, Steph
oh yeah!
thank you for this hub i am writing a speech on this and this really helped me out a lot.
Beautiful...
ifeel badfor all the poor animials
It's important for people to understand the 'why' behind something before they can take action. Thanks for getting this out there! I've added a link to your hub to one of mine so that my readers can see why our rainforests are so important.
Thanks Melis Ann - I agree. People may not be motivated to save the rainforest until they realize just how important it is, not only to the creatures that inhabit it, but to humans around the world. Best, Steph
OMG!
cool web sit
this website is awesome it helped me with my school project and i got outstanding for my speech you rock
Patty Inglish, MS Level 7 Commenter 4 years ago
Good Hub! If the forests are destroyed, the land becomes desert, the soils formerly held firm by roots blown away and plant life growing scare or absent. If that happened to a majority of land on earth, the planet could no longer hold its atmosphere. And it could happen more quickly than people think, not in the next generation, but in our own.
Thanks for the Hub!