4C Class Assembly |
19 January 07 |
All of the world’s rainforests are near the equator, which is an imaginary line round the middle of the Earth. These incredible places cover only 6% of the Earth’s surface but yet they contain MORE THAN HALF of the world’s plant and animal species. Rainforests are the source of many items that we all use in our homes. We eat several foods from the rainforest and many medicines are made from ingredients found only in these areas. The Amazon Rainforest has been described as the “Lungs of our Planet” because it continually recycles carbon dioxide into oxygen. |
These incredible places are under serious threat! The world’s rainforests are currently disappearing at a rate of 6000 acres every hour. This is an area the size of a football pitch cut down every second of every day. When these forests are cut down, the plants and animals that live in the forests are destroyed and some species are at risk of being made extinct. GONE FOREVER!! |
Rainforests They’re really half a world away, They’re really somewhere over there. I know that in these rainforests I know that trees are being cut, So, I know they’re half a word away, |
'Rainforests' poem courtesy of songs4teachers.com |
Here are just some of the steps currently being taken to Stop the Destruction! |
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Some rainforests have been turned into National Parks; here it is against the law to cut down trees. National Parks help to keep all the animals, plants and people that live in the rainforests safe from harm. |
Several countries are using the rainforests to attract tourists. People are now willing to travel long distances to see for themselves what a rainforest is like. |
It also helps if people make furniture from softwood, which grows quickly rather than slow growing hardwood. In many rainforests, when trees are cut down new ones are planted. |
You can learn more about rainforests, and efforts being made to save them, by visiting the Rainforest Concern website. The site has plenty of facts, pictures and information, as well as ideas of ways that YOU can make a difference. In the 'Kids' section there is also a fantastic 'Guided Tour Through The Rainforest' and a Rainforest Flash Movie. |
Please Note: Clicking the above link will open the 'Rainforest Concern' website in a new window. We are not responsible for content hosted outside the Forefield Juniors site. |