Preserve Rainforests
Every minute, a swathe of rainforests the size of 40 football fields disappears.
See all 9 projects in this cause
It's easy: download the viaGood app and support projects in this cause!
Rainforests cover 2 % of Earth, yet are home to half of all animals.
Although rainforests cover approximately 2 % of the planet, they are home to about 50 % of all plants and animals. Nevertheless, at least 8 million hectares of rainforest (31 000 sq miles) are destroyed annually – an area about the size of South Carolina.
Rain in the rainforest. Source: Unsplash
Rainforests are characterized by a warm, humid climate without any significant periods of drought. They receive average annual rainfall of approximately 2000 mm (79 in) per square meter, with average monthly temperatures exceeding 18 °C (64 °F).
There are two types of rainforest. These are found in the tropical as well as temperate zones throughout the world and, in prehistoric times, even in Antarctica. The two largest rainforests on the planet today are the Amazon and the Congo.
The main occurrence of rainforests in the temperate and tropical belt. Source: viaGood
Rainforests are distinguished by their dense vegetation, which can be divided into four layers. The highest part of the rainforest, the Emergent Layer is at a height of 30-81 meters (100 - 270 ft) and is home to many birds and insects. Below this layer is the Upper Canopy which grows to a height of 18-40 meters (60 - 130 ft). This layer has abundant sunlight and nutrients. Most of the animals living in the rainforest are found here – for example, a large number of birds, insects, reptiles and primates. The Understory/Lower Canopy does not receive as much sunlight, but is still situated above ground level. Animals in the undergrowth include some birds, insects (beetles and bees), arachnids, snakes, lizards and small mammals, that live on and in the bark of trees. Larger animals, such as jaguars, lurk in the branches, waiting for prey. The Forest Floor is full of life, especially insects and arachnids. Ants live here, as well as the largest rainforest animals, such as gorillas and wild boar.
Layers of the rainforest. Source: viaGood
Did you know ... the Amazon rainforest is home to more than 30 million people from 350 different ethnic groups.
The size of the Amazon, the largest rainforest, is 6.9 million sq. kilometers (2.72 million sq. miles), approx. equal to the size of 48 US states. The Amazon, the second longest river in the world, flows through this rainforest. Its water volume is five times that of the Congo River, and twelve times more than the Mississippi River. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, it is estimated that approximately one-fifth of all the water falling on the Earth’s surface is carried by the Amazon. About 10 % of all biomass on Earth is found in the Amazon rainforest.
River in the Amazon Rainforest. Source: Wikipedia
Rainforests are home to half of the world’s animal and plant species, although they are found on less than 2 % of the Earth’s surface. According to The Nature Conservancy, a 4-square-mile (2 560 acres) area of rainforest contains:
- up to 1 500 flowering plants.
- 750 tree species.
- 400 bird species.
- 150 butterfly species.
The Amazon rainforest alone contains approximately 10 % of the world's known species.
Life in a hectare of Amazon. Source: viaGood
About 25 % of the ingredients in modern Western medicine come from the rainforest. This number is all the more impressive when you consider that only about 5 % of Amazonian plant species have been studied for their medicinal effects. The US National Cancer Institute has identified 3 000 plants that are effective in fighting cancer. 70 % of these plants are found in rainforests.
Do you have a piece of forest in your home too? Source: viaGood
Every year, rainforests the size of South Carolina disappear forever.
Deforestation in order to obtain free space for agriculture is unsustainable in the rainforest. The soil is not of high quality. Only after the felling and burning of trees is the soil enriched with ash and able to sustain plant growth. Nevertheless, due to heavy rains, rapid erosion occurs and the soil returns to its original state. Even after 2–3 years, a deforested area cannot be used for agriculture. That is why agriculturists are moving deeper and deeper into the rainforests, and free areas are occupied by less exploitative cattle.
Just a few decades ago this area was an impenetrable jungle. Nan Province, Thailand. Source: Unsplash
-
Every minute, a rainforest area the size of 40 football fields disappears.
-
Every year, more than 8 million hectares of rainforest disappear (31 000 square miles) – the size of South Carolina.
-
Between 2015 and 2020, the annual rate of deforestation on our planet was estimated at 10 million hectares.
In 2020, deforestation in the Brazilian rainforest reached a 12-year high. 11 088 km2 (4 280 square miles) of rainforest were cut down – a little smaller than the territory of the state of Connecticut.
The destruction of the rainforest is not only due to oil palm plantations, as is often presented by the media. There are other culprits:
- Felling of trees for wood, which is used for floors, furniture and other objects.
- Power plants and other industries cut down and burn trees to generate electricity.
- The paper industry is turning huge areas of rainforest trees into paper pulp.
- Livestock farmers clear the land for ranches by the slash-and-burn method, burning the forest. This leads to huge uncontrolled fires.
- Agricultural interests, particularly the soybean industry, are destroying forests for arable soil.
- Local farmers are destroying the rainforest for firewood, creating space for crops and pastures.
- Mining companies clear the forest to build roads and excavate mines.
- Governments and industry cut down forests to pave the way for service and transit roads.
- Water projects flood large areas of rainforests.
Part of the Amazon rainforest is already losing its ability to absorb CO2. According to the latest 10-year study of greenhouse gases above the Amazon basin, approx. 20 % of the total area generates more CO2 than it absorbs.
Due to deforestation, the natural environment for animal species is disappearing. Scientists estimate that about 80 % of the planet’s terrestrial species live in forests. Deforestation is therefore one of the greatest risks of the extinction of many species.
The WWF estimates that 27 % (more than one-fourth) of the Amazon biome will be treeless by 2030, if the current deforestation rates continue.
NASA experts predict that, at the current rate of deforestation, rainforests may disappear by the end of this century.
It is not yet too late to save the rainforests. Everyone can get involved.
Although scientists cannot agree on when there will be the point of no return, it is still possible to reverse the trend. It is necessary to:
- educate the public on the importance of the environment and the rainforest as a unique biotope;
- restore damaged ecosystems by planting trees where forests have been cut down;
- encourage people to live in a way that does not harm the environment;
- establish parks to protect rainforests and wildlife;
- support companies that minimize environmental damage.
Everyone can get involved
From anywhere on Earth, you can fight every day for the preservation of the rainforests:
- Choose what you eat – lots of food is grown and bred in deforested areas, e.g. palm oil, soybean, beef.
- Choose responsibly acquired products - Fairtrade products contribute to sustainable development and protect the rights of small producers and growers – particularly in developing countries.
- Choose products from responsible companies – because some companies invest part of their profits in the renewal of damaged Nature.
- Support indigenous communities – this is a unique and effective way to protect rainforests and to live sustainably.
- Reduce your carbon footprint – it is necessary to reduce carbon emissions to end the climate crisis. Everyone can reduce air and road travel, or use more efficient electrical appliances with lower consumption.
- Share information about the state of Nature – information is pivotal. The more people know what is happening to the rainforests, the more likely they are to join in to support the good cause.
- Contact your elected representatives – they directly influence government priorities and the allocation of funds, and have a duty to represent the interests of their voters. Ask them to support low-carbon development programs, including respect for the rights of indigenous peoples.
- Devote your time – you can give 1-2 hours a week, or as much time as possible to prepare campaigns, shoot videos, or help as a volunteer in a non-profit organization.
- Support or create fundraising - you can create a community of donors, organize a benefit concert or even a “Race for the restoration of the rainforest”.
