What is deforestation What causes deforestation How does deforestation affect us What can we do to stop it

De + Forest = Deforestation Deforestation refers to the cutting, clearing, and removal of rainforest or related ecosystems into pasture, cropland, or plantations (Kricher, 1997). In other words, the destruction of a rainforest.

 I. Logging (for paper, etc)  II. Mining (for electricity & jewelry)  III. Oil and gas extraction (for electricity)  IV. Cattle ranching (for meat, milk and wool)  V. Agriculture: Cash crops like soybeans

…tropical rainforests, which cover only 6-7% of the earth's surface, contain over half of all the plant and animal species in the world! Rainforest in Malaysia on the island of Borneo

 Atlantic coast of Brazil has lost 90-95% of its rainforest  Central America has lost 50% of its rainforests  South America has lost 70% of its rainforests  Philippines has lost 90% of its rainforests  Madagascar has lost 95% of its rainforests  El Salvador has lost 70-85% of its rainforest due to heavy bombing during the civil war  Sumatra has only 15% of its rainforests left  Only 6% of Central Africa's forests are protected by law

We are losing about two U.S. football fields of rainforests every second! This amounts to 214,000 acres per day: an area larger than New York City, and 78 million acres per year: an area larger than Poland! On average, 137 species become extinct everyday; or 50,000 each year!

“If the current rate of deforestation continues, all of the world's rain forests will vanish within 100 years – causing unknown effects on global climate and eliminating the majority of plant and animal species on the planet”

 Extinctions of plants, insects, animals, and indigenous peoples (due to decreased habitat which causes territorial conflicts, homelessness, lack of food availability, migration disturbances, etc)  Soil erosion occurs when trees and plants are removed; the rain water washes away the nutrients in the soil  Desertification (spreading of dry, hot, arid conditions)  Climate change (more carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, thus increasing the effects of global warming)  Pollution (ground, water and air pollution from oil extraction and mining chemicals)

 Loss of culture  Loss of farmland and forest resources  Social conflicts over land and natural resources, between ethnic groups  Poisoning from oil and mining waste  Global economic uncertainty (due to the depletion of natural resources)  And many more!

People who live in the rainforest depend on the natural environment for food, shelter, materials for cooking, and clothing. If the forest is cut down or if their environment becomes polluted from oil extraction and mining, they are forced to move or risk starvation and sickness.

 Always use both sides of paper when writing, drawing, photo-copying, faxing, etc.  Use pencils until they are stubs! Think of pencils as gold (you'll never lose them if you do)  Trees get cut down for cattle to graze. Instead of eating meat, think of eating other sources of protein such as fish, soy, beans, whole-wheat, and nuts.  Save electricity by turning off lights, TV, radio, and computer when you are not using them.  Save water by NOT taking baths; instead take quick showers (turning off the water while you soap up) and then turning it back on to rinse quickly. While washing your hands and brushing your teeth, turn off the water. You'll save gallons if you do.

 Encourage your parents to buy furniture and wood that is Certified. That means the wood was legally cut-down.  Buy organic fruits and vegetables. That means there are no insecticides or pesticides (poisonous chemicals) sprayed on the food. These chemicals are harmful to you and to the environment.  Instead of buying gold or diamonds, which are mined and cause environmental damage, consider jewelry that is made from materials that are not mined... such as glass.  Whenever possible, walk, bike, carpool or use mass transit (bus or train). Hmmm, can you think of other ways to conserve wood, oil and gas, electricity, minerals and elements, and water, etc...?