• A dying treasure: The fall of the Rainforests and the affects of deforestation

    Can you imagine a forest, as old as the earth, with trees standing as tall as buildings, for thousands of years? Can you think of every species of animal be it mammal, aviary, reptilian or aquatic, all living in one large, beautiful forest home in near-harmony with each other? These forests aren’t just some whole new territory; they’re a whole other world. Sadly, it’s a dying world. One that we may never see again should the effects of deforestation continue. Not just for us, but for our home, we need to protect the forests.

    Deforestation isn’t as old as the earth, but it’s been here for a long while. The evidence is all around if we look, and it’s only now we’re starting to realize how bad the situation is becoming. Lets take the Djouce Mountain, along with the emerald isle itself, Ireland. During the 17th and 18th centuries, it was clear-felled in order to collect wood for shipbuilding. Now it’s near empty and barren. In the south of Mexico, it’s impossible to determine how much is destroyed, mostly due to agricultural reasons.

    The effects of deforestation on the world aren’t environmental; they are also hurting the wildlife. By burning, tearing down or blowing out parts of the rainforest we destroy various animals’ habitats and therefore damage the ecosystem as a whole. Be it an anthill or a leopard’s den, even the tiniest change can cause an environmental upheaval. Because of the constantly changing environment and harmful interference of humans, various species of animals suffer greatly and eventually slowly die out. One of the reasons why many animals are endangered to begin with is human’s expanding into their territory.

    What few people realize, however, is that the tropical plants and other flora of the forest are also endangered. This flora may produce vital ingredients and other properties for curing various diseases. Although many of these plants remain unknown, new discoveries are made every day. However these discoveries may not come to pass if we keep burning down this flora. We could very well be passing up a chance to discover a cure for a currently incurable disease.

    I can’t say that humans are responsible for doing this simply because they want to destroy it for fun. People, especially in South America need all the land they can get to grow and raise their crops. Once the soil becomes infertile, they have to move to fertile soil, which means cutting down trees. Another issue with that is tree cutting for the sake of decoration.

    People love exotic items: exotic foods, exotic pets, and even exotic wood. People cut down trees to make floors, doors, and other things. Chopping down ancient trees, which have stood tall for so long, only to take several thousand years to grow back, seems like a waste. However, the people of South America need to do what they can to survive, and it’s wrong to condemn them for doing what they have to do survive. However, the indigenes people would say otherwise. The ancient natives would be dead set against the destruction of their homeland, what little that still exists.

    The Rainforest’s survival isn’t just vital for the earth, the creatures and people living in it. It’s vital for all of us as a whole. The trees, the flowers, and the other living creatures play a vital role in an ecosystem that stretches across a continent, an ecosystem that could have very beneficial findings for us in the future. We just need to stop taking so much and giving back so little. Finding other, more eco friendly ways for farmers to grow and raise their crops. Alternate forms of wood use, so instead of chopping down those ancient trees we can use something that will look, as good but will last longer.

    Sending out doctors, biologists and other experts to look for those miracle plants and maybe discover a whole new species all together. Thinking of the possibilities is endless. Do we want such opportunities slipping from our fingers? Working to preserve such an important part of our planet is the right thing to do. We just need to take the steps to prevent such destruction. Of course there will be resistance. Big lumber companies among others would love to keep doing what they’re doing now. Poachers who catch the above mentioned exotic animals for rich people who want something more “exciting” then a house cat by buying a leopard. Just stealing these animals from their homes is dangerous, but taking them to a whole new environment where the chances of dying are even greater is just as harmful. Let’s also not forget that people still kill animals for their fur and pelts to make clothes and boots. Just to make a fashion statement. I can’t stress enough on how important it is to protect the planet and the animals, (our roommates on this planet if you will) from these pointless and gluttonous tendencies of ours.

    Working for a better world for everyone and everything might make this planet a better place to live in, even for the most pessimistic and cynical of people. We owe it to our ancestors and to our future decedents.

    After all, wouldn’t seem unfair to our children, and our children’s children to let this treasure just die?