The Amazon

[RobArb]

More than 20% of the world's oxygen is produced in Brazil's Amazon rainforest, which is why it's often described at the lungs of the planet. The Rainforest is one of the world's natural marvels, with more than half of the estimated 10 million species of plants, animals and insects on earth, living in its tropical forest. However, between May 2000 and August 2005, Brazil lost more than 132,000 square kilometers of forest—an area larger than Greece — and since 1970, over 600,000 square kilometres of Amazon rainforest have been destroyed. With de-forestation running at such a rapid rate, experts estimate that the last remaining rainforests could be consumed in less than 40 years.

[WeeDee]

I share your obvious concern but remember - we did the same to Europe's forests in the name of farming and naval fleets to rule the waves. There are many in Europe who, having progressed into the 'first world', now feel in a position to lecture developing countries on how to care for the environment.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

More than 20% of the world's oxygen is produced in Brazil's Amazon rainforest, which is why it's often described at the lungs of the planet. The Rainforest is one of the world's natural marvels, with more than half of the estimated 10 million species of plants, animals and insects on earth, living in its tropical forest. However, between May 2000 and August 2005, Brazil lost more than 132,000 square kilometers of forest—an area larger than Greece — and since 1970, over 600,000 square kilometres of Amazon rainforest have been destroyed. With de-forestation running at such a rapid rate, experts estimate that the last remaining rainforests could be consumed in less than 40 years.

 

Its more than oxygen, it produces rain that reaches Europe, brazil losses 600,000,000 tons of soil a year due to deforestation, as for the species list, well, I reckon thats an underestimation.

 

I share your obvious concern but remember - we did the same to Europe's forests in the name of farming and naval fleets to rule the waves. There are many in Europe who, having progressed into the 'first world', now feel in a position to lecture developing countries on how to care for the environment.

 

The man makes a valid point, and most of this deforestation is to pay deficits owed the western "developed" world.

 

So I wouldn't take much notice of us westerners if I was in their Jimmy choos.

 

Funny how we always look to the rain forest when we talk about these type of issues, but Bialowieza the last primeval forest in Europe is also under as much pressure, for similar developmental reasons.

 

and then on a somewhat smaller scale, we here in the U.K have to constantly battle the case for the last remnants of our ancient forests.

 

Woodlands/forests havent got long in this world, I intend to see them before I myself run out of time.

 

man is a silly beast

[sean]

 

Woodlands/forests havent got long in this world, I intend to see them before I myself run out of time.

 

 

Thats a depressing thought.....then its up to us to fight all the way to do all we can to stop thius from happening. We need to get into the schools and educate the kids

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Thats a depressing thought.....then its up to us to fight all the way to do all we can to stop thius from happening. We need to get into the schools and educate the kids

 

Yes we do:thumbup:

[sean]

Yes we do:thumbup:

 

 

I've taught in schools and it is very rewarding......this is where i can se your 'teaching career' tony.....i know people on here have said they can see you teaching as i have but its the kids we need to be educating primarily. Getting in there early......sowing a seed within them, nurturing them.....Make them understand the futileness of breaking newly planted trees in the street, why that 'old rotten tree' which they see as pointless so therefore worthy of a ignited match is in fact a highly developed mini eco system.......there are alot of grants for education projects in this country. This is a very important mission and one which I am tentatively making steps towards. I'll be needing you mate.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

I've taught in schools and it is very rewarding......this is where i can se your 'teaching career' tony.....i know people on here have said they can see you teaching as i have but its the kids we need to be educating primarily. Getting in there early......sowing a seed within them, nurturing them.....Make them understand the futileness of breaking newly planted trees in the street, why that 'old rotten tree' which they see as pointless so therefore worthy of a ignited match is in fact a highly developed mini eco system.......there are alot of grants for education projects in this country. This is a very important mission and one which I am tentatively making steps towards. I'll be needing you mate.

 

And I will be there:thumbup1:

 

But my mission, personaly, is to advance the status of the eco system health through better more informed practice, after all, its the man with the saw in his hand that makes the final call, he is the front line between retention and loss.

[sean]

And I will be there:thumbup1:

 

But my mission, personaly, is to advance the status of the eco system health through better more informed practice, after all, its the man with the saw in his hand that makes the final call, he is the front line between retention and loss.

 

Thats true mate....and needs to be done......but the arbs of the future are more likely to listen as they do not need to change decades of conditioning.

Anyway we've all got our own missions and we can all call upon each other.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Thats true mate....and needs to be done......but the arbs of the future are more likely to listen as they do not need to change decades of conditioning.

Anyway we've all got our own missions and we can all call upon each other.

 

I think were at a stage where there wont be any old growth for those young arbs to learn about!

 

hence its what we do now that counts, but your right, and needs to be done, if we retain it, the concept has to be carried through in the future.