The Amazon Rainforest
My second topic in the Eco-Blogging series is protection of the Amazon Rainforest. To start, the Amazon Rainforest is a 1.4 million acre rainforest covering most of South America’s Amazon Basin. It represents over one half of the world’s remaining rainforests, and is the largest tropical rainforest in the world. It covers more than half of the nation of Brazil! It also is the most species-rich rainforest in the world; many species of animals are counted among the Amazon’s inhabitants. This rainforest truly is one of the natural wonders of the world.
With that said, the threats that currently face this natural marvel must be addressed. Deforestation, or destruction of forests, is one of the main threats to the Amazon. A major driving factor behind the deforestation is to cultivate more land to grow soybeans and other food, most of which will be fed to farmed animals raised for their flesh, not to human beings.
Before 1970, there was an estimated 4,100,000 square kilometers of forest cover in the Amazon. By 2008, 17.7% of that forest cover had been destroyed. At this rate, in 20 years, the Amazon Rainforest will have been reduced by 40%.
Deforestation affects all beings living in the Amazon, from indigenous people, to the animals who also make their homes there.
What can you do?
Get involved! An awesome rainforest protection group is Rainforest Action Network. A link to their website is right there–>; they have chapters all around the US, Canada, and also in Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Pakistan, and the Philippines. If there isn’t a chapter in your neck of the woods, they have information on how you can start your own. RAN handles a wide range of issues, from rainforest protection, to wildlife, to global warming, and more. They do everything from letter-writing to nonviolent direct action, so get involved today! And sign up for their mailing list for they can update you about the issues.
Also, go vegan! I’ve said reasons why in other posts, but here’s another reason why. You never know if you’re eating rainforest destruction in that cheeseburger; why take the chance?
Also, know where things you buy come from! Your furniture, your paper, everything. Make choices that are kind to the earth (and the animals).
Until next time, later!
(Next topic, Fair Trade!)
Sources: Wikipedia, Rainforest Action Network
