The Stakes
A 2017 study revealed that natural climate solutions, like forest conservation and sustainable farming, can offer at least a third of planetary climate mitigation. Sadly, the study also revealed that tropical forests, now produce more carbon than they filter.
This effect is the direct result of deforestation. Bringing them back to their full carbon-absorbing capacity is crucial for our survival.
Rainforest Dwellers
Eagles, orangutans, and elephants are only a handful of the amazing creatures that dwell in different rainforests of the world. Unfortunately, a lot of these animals are critically endangered, yet their survival is vital to maintaining the balance of our rainforest ecosystems.
Rainforests provide water to the planet’s atmosphere. Deforestation decreases the amount of moisture freed into the atmosphere, resulting in lower rainfall.
How Do They Actually Work?
When working at their prime, forests act as natural water filters, preventing pollutants and debris from reaching water deposits. Since rainforests are extremely bio-diverse, they offer vast possibilities for future medical discoveries. In fact, components found in certain rainforest plants are utilized today for the treatment of a wide array of ailments and health conditions, from malaria to heart disease and tuberculosis.
Statistics from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization reveal that almost 1.6 billion people depend on rainforests for their survival, and the majority of these people utilize trees to make food and money.