deforestation in the amazon
Since 1970, an incredible 84.5 million hectares (18.2%) of Amazonian rainforest has been destroyed due to deforestation (Reuters) It has been predicted that over the next 20 years, a further 40% of the original Amazonian rainforest will be destroyed. There are many reasons behind the deforeststion of the Amazonian rainforest the main ones are: cattle pasture for agricultural farming, hard wood collection for furniture manufacture and as an energy source, housing space, to adapt the rainforests to the growing population of Brazil and soybeans, used widely and sold cheaply around the World.
the effects
There are many effects as a direct result of deforestation in the Amazonian rainforest, one of the most prevalant is the effect that the decrease in plants, trees, animals and overall a decrease in biodiversity, is seen by the medical profession. Medical research into potential new medicines has less and less chance of finding cures to currently terminal illnesses and a decrease in biodiversity further decreases this chance. With only 1% of tropical plants in the Amazonian rainforest having been investigate for potential medical properties and as a result over 25% of pharmaceuticals have over 50% of ingredients that originate from tropical rainforests. If biodiversity decreases dramatically, then the chances of further increasing the new medical possibilities will be stunted. Without a bio diverse rainforest to investigate, scientists have no way of measuring whether or not there could have been or could still be cures for currently deemed terminal illnesses such as cancer.
There are also social effects for the Amazonian tribes, as removing the rainforest would remove a source of income, shelter, medical supplies and warmth. Decreasing biodiversity would result in the variety of plants, trees and animals desreasing and the availability of certain trees completely disappearing.
There are also social effects for the Amazonian tribes, as removing the rainforest would remove a source of income, shelter, medical supplies and warmth. Decreasing biodiversity would result in the variety of plants, trees and animals desreasing and the availability of certain trees completely disappearing.
Below is an advert put out by Greenpeace, to promote the prevention of the destruction of the Amazonian rainforest.