by Taetske | 6:35 pm
(Last Updated On: August 4, 2021)

 

The disappearance of the valuable Rainforest

 

The following is a NASA video showing the rate of deforestation and includes a soundtrack.

 

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The diminishing of the Rainforest

It is a sad fact that year after year more rainforest is disappearing and with it innumerable plants and animals, many of which have not even been cataloged. Eighty percent of Earth’s land animals and plants live in forests, and by destroying the trees they have no place to live anymore The boom began in the 1960s when Brazil started the cutting and burning of the rainforest.

By 1995, 70% of the deforested land had been made into cattle ranching. From that date onward, nearly all the cleaned land was turned into pastures. Apart from turning the land into meadows for cows, the other reason for the deforestation is the gain of timber like mahogany and teak, which is then sold to other countries where furniture is made.

The estimations are that some 18 million acres (7.3 million hectares) are lost each year. When one thinks the Amazon is our biggest green lung, it is completely mind-boggling that we the people are doing this. It seems to be money and only money that moves us, forgetting what will happen to our future generations.

This brings to mind the film Wall-E, the little robot left behind to clean our mess as people could not live on our earth anymore. Here you can read some startling and worrying facts and figures.

 

A lovely little book

Reading How to plant a tree, the reader will become aware of the importance of having trees in our life. You should plant at least 1 tree in your life. There are many occasions where you can plant a tree.

A marriage ceremony, a new baby is born, the first tree in your new garden, and a special tree to remember a loved one. Or just explaining the importance of a tree to your child and together planting one.

 

 

The Importance of the Amazon

The Amazon represents about one-third of the remaining rainforest in the world.

The cutting of the trees in the Amazon has also a really big impact on Global Warming. About 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from tropical deforestation. Just think about this. It is more than all the cars, trucks, and buses combined worldwide.

Since 2005  there has been a positive shift in the behavior of the Brazilian government. The deforestation dropped significantly and instead national parks were created and the indigenous land was recognized totaling it approx the size of the deforestation area over the years.

This YouTube video shows you the devastating fires of 2019.

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How good can turn to bad depending on the leader of a country

Over time, missing laws or laws that are outdated are hopefully improved with a leader who understands the needs of its people and that of the country. I mentioned that since 2005 there was a positive shift in the understanding of Brazil on one of Mother Earth’s treasures, the Amazon Rainforest. It was going in the right direction till the elections of 2018.

Jair Bolsonaro was elected president on 7 October 2018. He caused the country to take an opposite direction. Instead of preserving nature, he wanted to have quick monetary gains. Humans caused 99% of the big Amazon fires in 2019. Mining, logging, and agriculture made vast surfaces with rainforest disappear. The fires that were lit to prepare the soil got out of hand. Do not miss the video which I posted above.

 

Amazon rainforest

Amazon rainforest image by Andrea Leitold

 

The Medical value of the Flora

The use of plants and herbs from the rainforest as medicine. The area of the Amazon is enormous. It spreads across nine countries in South America. Because of its vastness, there are still vast areas where men have not been apart from the indigenous tribes.

Guarana has caffeine found in its seeds, it is stronger than the caffeine found in coffee but is released into the body at a slower rate. It seems to have antioxidant properties, and it seems to improve memory.

Studies have shown that caffeine may protect your brain.
Some 2 to 3 cups a day cut the rates of impairment by 25% over 10 years.
3 cups lower the risk of mental decline by some 50%
3  to 5 cups a day will decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia by a huge 65%.

A new study from Indiana University shows it has identified 24 compounds, including caffeine, which holds an enzyme to protect the brain from dementia.
Guarana works like coffee to keep you awake but the entire day without the negative effect of having the jitters.

 

Dense rainforest

Dense rainforest image by Rosina Kaiser

 

Valuable trees

Miuria Puama is a tree that grows up to be 5 meters tall. They use it for treating erectile dysfunction and is said to increase your libido. It might also have a positive effect in treating Alzheimer’s disease and improving energy and general health.

Cinchona Tree (quinine) the bark is used for treating malaria. In old times there was such a demand for it that this tree nearly disappeared. In the 1880s, traders took the tree to Java/Indonesia where big plantations were set up. Later on, they took some species back to South America to avoid extinction.

The Kapok tree is the tallest tree in the rainforest. Indigenous people use the seeds, leaves, and resin to cure various ailments such as fevers, asthma, and dysentery. The tree itself is home to many animals like birds, frogs, and insects.

 

Sunset in the Amazon

Sunset in the Amazon image by sdblack0

 

Conclusion

The Amazon rainforest is home to some 150.000 species of plants, most of them not being studied yet. We have found here many ingredients for cures like blood thinners, antibiotics, cancer drugs. They will find much more as scientific researchers are optimistic to find the answer to healing Aids, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, arthritis, and more.

Shamans and healers, and their knowledge and use of plants are being investigated and many more life-saving methods may be found if we all take care that this treasure of Mother Nature is being kept and saved for future generations.

For all the cut trees, one should plant young ones. This is a system that is the rule in Finland. Each year Finland plants 150 million new trees.

Each Finn has 4500 trees and the country can boast of 22 billion trees. When you let that sink in, do you not think that is amazing? Worldwide there are some 450 trees per person, so it is clear we have to take better care of them.

We, as humans, have an obligation to care for our environment. To take care of fauna and flora as otherwise, we will ruin our own habitat and that of future generations.

Before you leave, please have a look at a special page I made for you. Recommendations. I hope you will find something of your interest.

 

Source: Wikipedia

Photo Source: Pixabay

 

Luckily there are people in this world who do the exact opposite, they plant trees. Some impressive actions took place in various countries. Perhaps you like to read my post.

Solutions for the Disappearing of the Trees

 

 

Comments

Dave

I am totally with you on this,

This generation has been blinded by money so much that folks don’t see there are things which bring money to their pockets but which can’t be bought back by any amount of money or gold in the world.

These guys ought to know that rainforests are one of the main gifts of nature that shouldn’t be tampered with.

Sep 12.2017 | 01:30 pm

    Taetske

    Good afternoon Dave,

    Thank you for leaving a comment on my website. It is sad to see that people can be so blind, destroying our beautiful planet and not caring about future generations.

    Regards, Taetske

    Sep 12.2017 | 01:39 pm

Kenny

Hi this is very sad indeed. To see humans so arrogantly destroying another beautiful part of our planet like this is so sad. I hope that with enough pressure put governments globally we can slow this down enough for the rainforest to recover properly. Thanks for sharing.  I will book mark your site too. Kenny 

Nov 24.2018 | 02:34 pm

    Taetske

    Good evening Kenny,

    The human race still has to learn a lot, instead of destroying one should conserve and create. I wish each person would at least plant 1 tree in his or her life.

    Thank you for the visit and leaving a comment.

    Regards, Taetske

    Nov 24.2018 | 08:10 pm

mzakapon

I am agree with you and same opinion about this topic. Forest is very important for living things globally. But for selfish greedy people and their activity on cutting forest trees for earning money cause a great loss for environment. Some time those are not punished and ignored this issue. As a result this situation is happened in different region of the world. Thanks for awesome post. 

Nov 24.2018 | 02:41 pm

    Taetske

    Good evening Mzakapon,

    Thank you for visiting my website and leaving a comment. I hope you have downloaded your free PDF?

    It is very sad we are doing these stupid things to the environment. We will make life really difficult for future generations.

    Regards, Taetske

    Nov 24.2018 | 08:10 pm

Dany

Hello,

True and sad, he humanity is distorting our planet not thinking to our legacy, only for “some bucks”. We are still living on this planet, but what is the future for our children and grandchildren? I also believe in the power of healing using plants, and I use it when in need.  Unfortunately, deforestation is a global phenomenon. 

I hope I do not make mistakes, but the rule with planting a tree it’s applicable for all Nordic countries. It’s a small step, but it matters.

Nov 24.2018 | 02:45 pm

    Taetske

    Good Morning Dany,

    It would be so nice and helpful if all humans, at least once in their lives, would plant a tree. The trees, who keep our air clean, should be respected and taken care off as much as possible.

    Thank you for leaving a comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF?

    Regards, Taetske

    Nov 25.2018 | 08:08 am

Anita

I read an article in the news that Amazon is experiencing the worst deforestation ever in a decade.

It is interesting that man is always complaining of air pollution, climate change and extreme weather conditions yet neglect the main thing that keeps a balance in nature. Deforestation is mainly being caused by the greed of man, everyone wants to have vast land to maintain some status, yet destroy something money can’t buy, nature. Some trees in the middle of the forest play a vital role in balancing the ecosystem, this is never noticed until the trees are cut down and certain calamities happen. We need to teach the future generation preservation of forest like the amazon for it is to their benefit.

Nov 24.2018 | 04:02 pm

    Taetske

    Good Morning Anita,

    Thank you for leaving a comment on my website. I hope you downloaded your free PDF?

    The greed of man has caused big disasters which have a direct influence on our lives and that of future generations. I wrote a post on Tongass Park in Alaska where 800 years old trees are in danger. One should be more careful what leaders one chooses as they are the ones who make the decisions for good or bad.

    Living on my farm since 1981 I planted a lot of different trees and now enjoy the sight, flowers, shade and also the fruits of some.

    Regards, Taetske

    Nov 25.2018 | 08:08 am

Todd Matthews

The sad thing here is that it’s fueled by greedy leaders not just in Brazil, but this is happening worldwide. The beauty of life we tend to forget, however, is that the building blocks of each society rests with the individual, and as individuals, we can be empowered to do great things. When it comes to deforestation, not only is planting trees by us individuals a move in the right direction, but by using sites such as this to spread real information and awareness regarding the crisis another positive step. Awareness will create action, and through our positive actions we can overcome this and any crisis. 

Apr 22.2019 | 03:15 pm

    Taetske

    Good afternoon Todd,

    Thank you for your comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF?

    On one side it really looks bad as the human race does not seem to understand that protecting the environment is in their own interest. Afterall it is our habitat. There are many projects worldwide where millions of trees are planted so that is positive.

    Also, the fact that young people seem to get fed up with the negative decisions their leaders are taking. I am forwarding a video which is rather frightening, we better get our act together soon.
    https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/pMbeYJgH_6g

    Regards, Taetske

    Apr 22.2019 | 03:49 pm

Chris

This is actually the second time this subject has been sadly brought to my attention this week – the first was when I sat through excellent David Attenborough documentary on the BBC a few days ago (did you watch it by any chance?). 

It’s so sad to see this sort of thing happening, and getting worse in most cases. It’s even sadder when you realise that certain ‘world leaders’ don’t even believe in climate change – what chance does that give the rest of us?

In my country at the moment, London is near enough in a standstill due to climate change protesters having enough. I have a feeling they might eventually get heard (this time). 

Apr 22.2019 | 03:15 pm

    Taetske

    Good afternoon Chris,

    Nice to see you again. Thank you for your comment

    No, I did not see that documentary but have seen Sir David Attenborough in the past. I also mention him in one of my butterfly posts.

    There are certain world leaders who are dangerous, making stupid laws and only having $ in their head.

    I hope that the young generation is capable of putting a stop to all this destruction as we were and are not able to do so.

    I am forwarding a video which is an eye-opener.
    https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/pMbeYJgH_6g

    Regards, Taetske 

    Apr 22.2019 | 03:59 pm

Alex

When I was a boy, I was always concerned that humans hurt the earth too much, which will lead the earth to be destroyed.

When I grew up. I learned many things., How to work better, and how to be a good husband.

But I lost that one thought I had as a boy.

Maybe the boy’s idea is too naïve.

But when I read this article, I remembered seeing the destruction of the rainforest on tv.

The animals disappeared one by one. I realized that the boy’s idea is precious. This idea is a good idea for humans.

Life is not only about making money. We have the obligation to take care of the blue planet. She needs to be treated right.

Jul 30.2020 | 04:50 pm

    Taetske

    Good Morning Alex,

    Thank you for visiting my website and for leaving a comment. I hope you have downloaded your free PDF? Tulip widget.

    Children have very good thoughts as they have not been influenced yet. We definitely have to take better care of our environment and especially the trees. They are so important for our survival.People do not seem to realize that thinking about earning money now and not caring what will happen in the future.

    Regards, Taetske

    Jul 31.2020 | 06:43 am

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