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Posts Tagged ‘save the rainforests’

We’ve all heard the term “Save the Rainforest”, but have you ever really stopped to think about the reasons behind this term? First of all, there are three different types of rainforest. There are tropical rainforests, which lie between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Then, there are the subtropical rainforests that lie just north and south of these areas. And finally, there are temperate rainforests that lie just north and south of the subtropics.

Save The Rainforests

(photo courtesy tauntingpanda – flickr)

The Lungs of the Planet:
Rainforests have been called “The Lungs of the Planet”, due to the oxygen they release into the atmosphere. However, this is a misconception as the world’s algae releases more oxygen than forests do. The thing is that rainforests absorb carbon dioxide levels in the air, and that’s incredibly important. According to statistics, 1 ½ acres of rainforest are lost every second due to deforestation. At one time, more than 14% of the world was covered in rainforest, but now that number sets at only 6%.

Plants Cure Diseases:
The National Cancer Institute has identified more than 3,000 plants that have the ability to help in the fight against cancer. 70% of these plants can only be found in the world’s rainforests, including the plant Periwinkle. The chemical extracted from this plant has made it possible for children to survive Leukemia. In recent years, pharmaceutical companies such as Merck, are researching various plants from the rainforests. They are hoping to find possible medicines and cures for other illnesses, including AIDS.

Common Items Come From Rainforests:
It has been estimated that 2.5 acres of rainforest can contain as many as 750 different varieties of trees and more than 1500 species of plants. Also, most of the foods we eat on a daily basis, originated in the world’s rainforests. Bananas, coconuts, and avocados all came from the rainforests. Spices we use all the time came from these forests, such as black pepper, ginger, and cinnamon are all products of the rainforests. Even the coffee most of us drink each day is a product of the Earth’s rainforests.

Rainforests Populations Dwindling:
When Europeans first discovered the rainforests of South America, there were about 6 million people living in the region. In the 1990′s, that number was estimated to be down to about 250,000 people. Since the early 1900′s, experts believe at least 90 indigenous tribes have been completely lost to the human record. The knowledge that these people carried is gone forever. We consume about 200 different types of foods grown in these rainforests, while the native peoples know of about 2,000.

Better To Save The Rainforests:
The world is only now realizing that by leaving these forests intact, the economic value is greatly increased. Clearing the land for cattle generates approximately $60 per acre. However, by leaving the forest as is and harvesting the many fruits, nuts, and spices, can generate as much as $2,400 per acre. This not only stimulates the world economy, it gives the indigenous peoples of the region a chance to continue their way of life.

Save The World:
Saving the rainforests isn’t just about allowing a group of trees to live long lives. It’s about saving a diverse group of people, plants, and animals that can only be found in these regions. It’s about finding cures for the world’s devastating diseases, and about finding ways to feed those who are dying of starvation. In essence, when you Save The Rainforests, you save the world.

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