Post by KittyWolf on Feb 14, 2016 3:13:17 GMT
Rainforests
The world’s rainforests are often referred to as the “Earth’s lungs,” the “jewels of the Earth” and the “world’s largest pharmacy.” Approximately 50% of the world’s tropical rainforests are in Central and South America, over 33% are in Asia and Oceania (which consists of Australia, New Zealand and various South Pacific Islands), and 15% are in Africa.
Rainforests absorb from the atmosphere vast amounts of carbon dioxide—a gas that many scientists blame for global warming—and they provide approximately 40% of the world’s oxygen. They regulate water flow to surrounding areas preventing mudslides and crop loss. Rainforests also support the livelihoods of 1.6 billion people, providing food, fresh water, medicines and more. Approximately 25% of Western medicinesused to treat infections, viruses, cancer and more are derived from plants found in rainforests. The U.S. National Cancer Institute has found about 2100 rainforest plant species that are effective against cancer cells. Fewer than one percent of rainforest plant species have been tested for medical use.
Rainforests are being deforested at an alarming rate. According to a March 2010 report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, deforestation has slowed over the last 10 years, but more than 30 million acres of forests are still lost annually, and they’re not easily renewed.
The United Nations Environment Programme Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign is one of many reforestation initiatives.
To learn more about how you can make a difference, please visit:
www.unep.org/billiontreecampaign/index.asp.
www.rain-tree.com/facts.htm
www.savetherainforest.org/savetherainforest_007.htm
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainforest
www.rainforestfoundation.org/
The world’s rainforests are often referred to as the “Earth’s lungs,” the “jewels of the Earth” and the “world’s largest pharmacy.” Approximately 50% of the world’s tropical rainforests are in Central and South America, over 33% are in Asia and Oceania (which consists of Australia, New Zealand and various South Pacific Islands), and 15% are in Africa.
Rainforests absorb from the atmosphere vast amounts of carbon dioxide—a gas that many scientists blame for global warming—and they provide approximately 40% of the world’s oxygen. They regulate water flow to surrounding areas preventing mudslides and crop loss. Rainforests also support the livelihoods of 1.6 billion people, providing food, fresh water, medicines and more. Approximately 25% of Western medicinesused to treat infections, viruses, cancer and more are derived from plants found in rainforests. The U.S. National Cancer Institute has found about 2100 rainforest plant species that are effective against cancer cells. Fewer than one percent of rainforest plant species have been tested for medical use.
Rainforests are being deforested at an alarming rate. According to a March 2010 report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, deforestation has slowed over the last 10 years, but more than 30 million acres of forests are still lost annually, and they’re not easily renewed.
The United Nations Environment Programme Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign is one of many reforestation initiatives.
To learn more about how you can make a difference, please visit:
www.unep.org/billiontreecampaign/index.asp.
www.rain-tree.com/facts.htm
www.savetherainforest.org/savetherainforest_007.htm
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainforest
www.rainforestfoundation.org/