What is deforestation?0:17
Deforestation occurs when people cut down whole forests of trees.0:19
Tropical rainforests are particularly under threat.0:36
Two-thirds of the lowland tropical rainforests in Central America, for instance, have been turned into land for grazing since 1950.0:41
Small farmers cut down a few acres of trees in order to grow crops or let their animals graze.0:55
They clear them in a process called slash and burn.1:04
Loggers also cut down a lot of trees for wood and paper products, and urban developers turn areas of forest into mines, new roads, homes, or factories.1:08
Natural factors such as wildfires, sometimes contribute to deforestation too.1:23
Why is it such a problem?1:31
Deforestation is a major threat to the delicate ecosystem of our planet.1:34
Basically, it destroys the homes of animal and plant species, and many of them die out, including many unique species that could be used to make medicines, for some of the world's worst diseases.1:41
More than two-thirds of all medicines with cancer-fighting properties, for example, come from rainforest plants.1:57
Also, trees absorb harmful greenhouse gases.2:06
When forests are cut down or burnt, most of these gases stay in the Earth's atmosphere, which speeds up global warming.2:11
In fact, in the next 24 hours, deforestation will be responsible for the release of as much CO2 into the atmosphere as that from as many flights as it takes to carry 8 million people from London to New York.2:20
How can we help to fight deforestation?2:39
Take part in tree planting days.2:43
To replace some of the lost trees.2:46
Recycle paper and buy recycled paper products such as notepads.2:50
Eat less meat, or at least check where it has come from.2:56
If it's from rainforest areas, it's likely that rainforests were cut down in order to raise cattle.3:01
Encourage your family, friends, and neighbours to think about the rainforests too by telling them all about the issue and how they can help.3:09
Support charities and companies that support rainforest protection by donating money and buying wood products like furniture made from sustainable forests.3:21
Rainforests: Fast Facts.3:33
Tropical rainforests cover 6-7% of the Earth's surface.3:36
The Amazon, South America.3:45
Areas of forest the size of 2 football fields are lost per second due to deforestation.3:59
If this rate continues, The world's rainforests will disappear within 100 years.4:07
Rainforests are home to over half the plant and animal species in the world.4:16
137 species become extinct every day.4:22
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