Thursday, November 22, 2012

BENEFITS: The contributions of the Amazon


The Amazon rainforest provides us with our most abundant source of oxygen. It has been described as "lungs of our planet"1   because it enables our planet's natural sequestration of carbon dioxide, which is the process of containing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide for long periods.2 Sadly, the high rates of burning and clear-cutting large portions of the rainforest has unnaturally released carbon and thus is contributing to global warming.2 As well as providing us with life's necessity, oxygen, the Amazon rainforest provides the future of medicine and cures. As of today, it provides us 25% of all our medicines.2 Also, 70% of the plants found in the Amazon rainforest have anticancer properties not found anywhere else.2 Furthermore the Amazon rainforest is one of the world's most beautiful and diverse natural phenomenon left on the planet. Preserving it would mean supporting the largest collection of living plant and animal species in the world.1

1) "Rainforest Facts." Rainforest Facts. Raintree Nutrition Inc., 11 May 2012. Web. 01 Dec. 2012. <http://www.rain-tree.com/facts.htm>.
2) "Rainforest Benefits." Protect Amazon Rainforest. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2012. <http://www.protectamazonrainforest.com/benefits.html>.



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