Saving the Rain Forests
Why should you care about saving the RainForest?
1. Medicines - 1 out of 4 of our medicines originate in the rainforest - yet only 1% of rainforest plants have been tested for medicinal value.2. Economic Value - An intact rainforest is worth $6,820 per year if sustainably harvested; $1,000 if clear cut for commercial timber ($0 five years after clear cut); $148 for cattle pasture.
3. Ecology - The rainforest absorbs energy from tropical storms protecting homes and people.
4. Weather - Tropical deforestation contributes up to 30% of all the carbondioxide humans add to the atmosphere.
5. People - The rainforest is home to 140 million people.
6. Animals/Plants - Rainforests hold up to 50% of all of our plant and animal species.
7. Food Source - 98% of U.S. crop production is related to crossbreeding our indigenous plants with rainforest plants.
