The Importance Of Rainforests

WHY ARE RAINFORESTS IMPORTANT?

Tropical rainforests are among the most important natural features on our planet. Rainforests only cover 2% of the Earth's surface, but are homes to over 50% of all species of plants and animals living here. Rainforest trees help the planet breathe by absorbing carbon dioxide (a Greenhouse Gas) from the atmosphere, and producing the oxygen that people and animals need to survive. If the Earth had lungs like human beings, the rainforests would be those lungs.

Rainforests also do the following for our world:

• They help balance the global climate.

• They provide homes to many endangered species of plants and animals.

• The tree's roots help protect against flood, drought, and erosion;

• They provide food, and also new sources for medicines to help the sick.

• They are home to many different tribes of native peoples.

• They are one of the most beautiful places we have, and show us how nature works.

HOW AND WHY HUMANS ARE DESTROYING THE RAINFOREST

Human beings and our needs are the main reasons that rainforests are endangered. We endanger the rainforest because:

• Human beings are always trying to expand farm land to produce more food from growing crops and for land to allow cattle to graze.

• The wood in rainforest trees is a valuable thing used for fuel to burn fires, make paper, and for use in homes as siding, furniture and floors.

• Roads are being built through rainforest destroying the soil that contains the shallow roots of rainforest trees.

• Expanding needs for energy and minerals for industry.

ENDANGERED SPECIES OF THE RAINFOREST

All of these animals shown here are endangered because humans are destroying their habitats. Without the rainforest, they have nowhere to go and nowhere...

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...ntinue to use it. Most of these sorts of materials come from plants or recycling.

2. Buy products and support companies that make items from sustainable materials. Also, see if the companies you buy from support environment. Don't be afraid to ask them questions about where they get their materials, and how the way they operate their businesses impacts the environment.

3. Eat less meat. A diet that has more fruits and vegetables demands less from the earth than raising animals to kill and eat.

4. Learn more about the rainforest. The more you know about something, the more you can inform other people. Learning and teaching will help us save the rainforest.

5. Support environmental organizations and other groups that promote protecting the rainforest that are trying to establish parks and preserves. Help preserve parks and recreational areas in your own town.