Have you every thought about the rainforest? If you're like most people, you probably haven't. You probably don't see any relationship between yourself and anything that is going on down in the Amazon. Well, there really is quite a connection, and the rainforest is actually very important to you. Let's take a look at some of the things the rainforest does for us.
Did you know that the rainforests have more varied species of both plants and animals than all the other biological communities on the earth? Did you know that many of our pharmaceutical drugs were developed from the active ingredients of rainforest plants? There are more than 3,000 plants in the rainforest possessing chemical compounds which fight against cancer. Sounds impressive, and yet, these are only a few of the benefits the rainforest gives to us.
In addition, the rainforest also serves as the earth's recycling center for oxygen production. The Amazon rainforest is constantly converting earth's carbon dioxide into oxygen. That is because more than 80% of the earth's plant life is in the rainforest, and plants are what convert carbon dioxide into oxygen through photosynthesis.
I'm sure you're thinking this all sounds wonderful, and you probably have a newfound appreciation for the rainforest. But, there is a genuine problem that we have to face. The problem is that the rainforest is being destroyed. On a daily basis, over 108,000 acres of rainforest are being lost. That is a staggering number, and it is the result of deforestation due to greed and ignorance. If this deforestation continues, it is possible that 80-90% of the rainforest ecosystems will be gone within the next decade! If that happens, it will have a profound effect on the earth's ability to recycle carbon dioxide, and it will also cause us to lose the most valuable source of healing botanicals we have.
So, if you are now beginning to grasp why the rainforest is important, perhaps you are also wondering what you can do to help. What can you do to stop its destruction and aid in its preservation? While it is a daunting endeavor, there are some things we can each do. For starters, there are companies that are actively involved in utilizing the rainforest's products without compromising the ecosystem and without decimating any of the plant or animal species living there. Some companies are even setting up partnerships with the indigenous peoples of the Amazon, supporting them in their caretaking of the rainforest. Therefore, an easy thing we can all do is to seek out such companies of integrity and support them by purchasing their products. In turn, that will be supporting the rainforest. If we each do our part, the rainforest will survive and continue to benefit us for generations to come.
Did you know that the rainforests have more varied species of both plants and animals than all the other biological communities on the earth? Did you know that many of our pharmaceutical drugs were developed from the active ingredients of rainforest plants? There are more than 3,000 plants in the rainforest possessing chemical compounds which fight against cancer. Sounds impressive, and yet, these are only a few of the benefits the rainforest gives to us.
In addition, the rainforest also serves as the earth's recycling center for oxygen production. The Amazon rainforest is constantly converting earth's carbon dioxide into oxygen. That is because more than 80% of the earth's plant life is in the rainforest, and plants are what convert carbon dioxide into oxygen through photosynthesis.
I'm sure you're thinking this all sounds wonderful, and you probably have a newfound appreciation for the rainforest. But, there is a genuine problem that we have to face. The problem is that the rainforest is being destroyed. On a daily basis, over 108,000 acres of rainforest are being lost. That is a staggering number, and it is the result of deforestation due to greed and ignorance. If this deforestation continues, it is possible that 80-90% of the rainforest ecosystems will be gone within the next decade! If that happens, it will have a profound effect on the earth's ability to recycle carbon dioxide, and it will also cause us to lose the most valuable source of healing botanicals we have.
So, if you are now beginning to grasp why the rainforest is important, perhaps you are also wondering what you can do to help. What can you do to stop its destruction and aid in its preservation? While it is a daunting endeavor, there are some things we can each do. For starters, there are companies that are actively involved in utilizing the rainforest's products without compromising the ecosystem and without decimating any of the plant or animal species living there. Some companies are even setting up partnerships with the indigenous peoples of the Amazon, supporting them in their caretaking of the rainforest. Therefore, an easy thing we can all do is to seek out such companies of integrity and support them by purchasing their products. In turn, that will be supporting the rainforest. If we each do our part, the rainforest will survive and continue to benefit us for generations to come.
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