2.2.9

Why Protect Rainforests?

Test yourself

What is the Value of Rainforests?

Rainforests are important to both humans and the environment.

Illustrative background for Source of useful products and antifragilityIllustrative background for Source of useful products and antifragility ?? "content

Source of useful products and antifragility

  • Avocado, cashew nuts, citrus, chocolate, rubber and ingredients that are only really used in medicines are often grown in rainforest climates.
    • Over 7,000 drugs have been created from tropical forest plant species.
  • Having more products and more biodiversity makes the world less fragile. Nassim Taleb calls it antifragile when something is resistant to changes over time. Preserving biodiversity makes humankind more antifragile. If we kill off lots of plant and animal species, we may not be able to use them for something really useful in the future.
Illustrative background for Long-term economic benefits of rainforestsIllustrative background for Long-term economic benefits of rainforests ?? "content

Long-term economic benefits of rainforests

  • Although iron ore mining and timber logging are economically profitable, as incomes rise, tourism becomes more popular. Eco-tourism, like the hotel Hix Island House in Puerto Rico could become a major source of income in the future for countries and local people.
Illustrative background for Photosynthesis removes carbon dioxide from the airIllustrative background for Photosynthesis removes carbon dioxide from the air ?? "content

Photosynthesis removes carbon dioxide from the air

  • Having more trees on Earth means that they extract more carbon dioxide from the air, offsetting humans' carbon emissions.
  • Photosynthesis by trees in the Amazon absorbs 5% of the world's carbon emissions each year (2bn tons of CO2).
Illustrative background for The water cycle and climateIllustrative background for The water cycle and climate ?? "content

The water cycle and climate

  • Rainforests have an impact on the water cycle and local climates.
  • A smaller area of rainforest would increase the likelihood of serious droughts and floods.
Illustrative background for Moral perspectiveIllustrative background for Moral perspective ?? "content

Moral perspective

  • We should try not to harm other animals' habitats or other living things unless it is absolutely necessary.

Jump to other topics

1The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1Natural Hazards

1.2Tectonic Hazards

1.3Weather Hazards

1.4Climate Change

2The Living World

3Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1The UK Physical Landscape

3.2Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.3River Landscapes in the UK

3.4Glacial Landscapes in the UK

4Urban Issues & Challenges

5The Changing Economic World

6The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1Resource Management

6.2Food

6.3Water

6.4Energy

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