5 Ways to Save the Rainforest

Often described as the Earth’s lungs, tropical rainforests take in vast quantities of carbon dioxide and through the process of photosynthesis, convert it into clean, breathable air. In fact, the tropical rainforests are the single greatest terrestrial source of air that we breathe. And yet we are destroying them at an alarming rate . . .

Here's some statistics from http://www.savetherainforest.org/ :
"If present rates of destruction continue, half our remaining rainforests will be gone by the year 2025, and by 2060 there will be no rainforests remaining.
Every second . . we lose an area the size of two football fields!
Every minute . . we lose an area 29 times the size of the Pentagon!
Every hour . . . we lose an area 684 times larger than the New Orleans Superdome!
Every day . . . we lose an area larger than all five boroughs of New York City!
Every week . . . we lose an area twice the size of Rhode Island!
Every month . . .we lose an area the size of Belize!
Every year . . . we lose an area more than twice the size of Florida!
At the very least, "with the destruction of the tropical rainforests, over half the plant and animal species on earth, as well as numerous indigenous cultures will disappear forever."


So now is most definately the time to act! And every little bit helps . . . So check out the list below and find out what you can do to make a difference and help stop Rainforest Destruction.

1. Know where your food comes from
Buy locally grown food and locally produced goods whenever possible - this way you can be sure where they have come from and what effect they have on the environment. Look out for coffee and bananas that are sustainably grown.

Click here to find out more about supporting your local economy.

2. Ask questions - don't buy things made at the expense of the rainforests
When buying timber and timber products check where they are sourced from and are they grown sustainably. The same goes for paper products, food stuffs . . . !

Read more about how Palm Oil production is contributing to deforestation here.

3. Eat less red meat
Rainforest is often cut down to farm cattle for beef. Eating less red meat will help cut demand and protect the rainforest!

4. Teach your children to care for the environment
Take them hiking, camping, hunting, fishing and generally spending time in the great outdoors. Get involved in local roadside or beach clean ups. Read with them about the rainforests and find them together on a map. Plant a garden together. There are tons of ways you can have fun together with your kids while teaching them to care for and work with nature.

5. Support SALVEASERRA
Support our favourite charity. Click here to find out all about them at Global Giving. Donate if you are able or simply spread the word about the good works they do.

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