The world's rainforests are currently disappearing at a rate of 6000 acres every hour (this is about 4000 football fields per hour).   When these forests are cut down, the plants and animals that live in the forests are destroyed, and some species are at risk of being made extinct.  Further, as the large-scale harvesting of lumber from the rain forests continues, the balance of the earth's eco-system is disrupted.  We need the rain forests to produce oxygen and clean the atmosphere to help us breathe.  We also know that the earth's climate can be affected, as well as the water cycle.  Rainforests also provide us with many valuable medicinal plants, and may be a source of a cure from some deadly diseases.

logging trucks carry away trees that have been cut down.

Forests can be managed effectively without endangering rare species of plants and animals and without risking global environmental damage.  Companies that harvest timber should not be allowed to "clear cut" large areas of forest and should be required to plant new trees after they cut old trees down.  Governments should create large parks and reserves where hunting and logging are not allowed.  As a world community, we must be careful not to destroy the resources that people will need in the future.

Many animals from the rainforests are brought to our country illegally.  Parrots and iguanas, for example, are often imported illegally.   We should not buy these animals, since that encourages other people to bring in more animals.
 

Villagers in a rainforest burn trees to make charcoal.

Most of the products that we use in our country come from rainforests, such as rubber, coffee and rain forest lumber.  Rainforests are cut down to harvest the timber and also to make room for farms to grow coffee and spices.   Each of us needs to be thoughtful about the way we consume these products, and support companies and programs that make a commitment to safe environmental practices.  Recycle and re-use whenever possible, and help keep the earth green and healthy.