Save Our Rainforests
Lori Scott
Soc. 120
Timothy Knox
December 1, 2008
Devastation to our rainforests must stop, before it is too late. Some measures have been taken to try and preserve them however, it is not enough. We as a people in whole must learn that by continuing to destroy our rainforests, many species of human and non-human can lose their abilities to abstain their life in their own environment. However, we as a people of the world can be taught that by preserving the rain forests, many species of human and non-human can continue to thrive in their environment, without harming the people as a whole. Rather than addressing only one side of this controversy, it should be presented by addressing both the positive and negative effects of this destruction, in order to make an informed decision or form a personal opinion.
There are many more negative effects resulting from the destruction of our rain forests than there are positive effects. So, this writer will begin with the negative effects and later proceed to the positive effects. “Tropical rainforests support the greatest diversity of living organisms on Earth” “Although they cover less than 2 percent of Earth's surface, they house an estimated 50 percent of all life on the planet. The immense numbers of creatures that inhabit the tropical rainforests are so great—an estimated 5-50 million species— they are almost incomprehensible” The word, “Biodiversity -- short for biological diversity – is the number and types of organisms in an ecosystem, region or environment” (Rainforest Mongabay, 2000).
Let us begin by defining rainforests. “What Are Rainforests? There are many definitions. In ecological terms, rainforests have been defined as "multi-storied closed, broad leaved forest vegetation with a continuous tree canopy of variable height and with characteristic diversity of species and life forms. Rainforests have been called the womb of life because they are home to 50-90% of the species...