1. The Amazon Rainforest Today’s Issues

2. Issues Diverse and rare plant and animal life vs. the industry of farming and timber Diverse and rare plant and animal life vs. the industry of farming and timber Biodiversity- Wide range of plant and animal life that exist in the rain forest Biodiversity- Wide range of plant and animal life that exist in the rain forest

3. Benefits of the Rain Forest 1) vegetation helps clean the atmosphere 1) vegetation helps clean the atmosphere 2) regulates climate 2) regulates climate 3)shelters millions of insects, plants and wildlife 3)shelters millions of insects, plants and wildlife By the end of the 20 th century 50 million acres of rain forest were being destroyed every year. By the end of the 20 th century 50 million acres of rain forest were being destroyed every year.

4. Deforestation

5. Deforestation worldwide

6. Problems leading to decline 1) rising population of Brazil 1) rising population of Brazil 2) Price of timber 2) Price of timber 3)clearing land for cattle business 3)clearing land for cattle business Deforestation- cutting down and clearing away trees Deforestation- cutting down and clearing away trees

7. Global Warming Some suggest that slash and burn of the Amazon has lead to an increase in carbon dioxide emissions, leading to Global Warming. Some suggest that slash and burn of the Amazon has lead to an increase in carbon dioxide emissions, leading to Global Warming.

8. Global Warming Former Vice President Al Gore has lobbied for many years about the prospects of global warming and the effect they can have on the environment. Former Vice President Al Gore has lobbied for many years about the prospects of global warming and the effect they can have on the environment.

10. Plants and Animal Species While the rain forest accounts for 6 percent of the worlds land, 50% of the world’s plant and animal species are found there. While the rain forest accounts for 6 percent of the worlds land, 50% of the world’s plant and animal species are found there.

11. Solutions 1) Interest groups educating local populations on the value of the rain forest 1) Interest groups educating local populations on the value of the rain forest 2) Debt-for-Nature Swap- Government agrees to protect certain areas of the rain forest if nature groups help pay the government’s debt (Worked in Bolivia) 2) Debt-for-Nature Swap- Government agrees to protect certain areas of the rain forest if nature groups help pay the government’s debt (Worked in Bolivia)