Disappearing Rainforests

How fast are the Rainforests disappearing?

In the last 50 years 50% of the earth's rainforest has been destroyed. At the present rate of destruction, an area of rainforest the size of 2,000 football pitches is lost during a 90 minute football match.

What are the main causes of loss of rainforest?

·        Agriculture and settlements for growing populations.

·        Cattle ranching, particularly in central and South America. #

·        Logging for hardwoods, fuel, building materials and pulp mad for paper

·        Road construction for access to mines, dams and settlements.

·        Mining:- bauxite, oil, gold, diamonds, iron ore in Amazonia; nickel, copper, tin, coal in Indonesia; coal in Columbia and uranium, gold in Brazil.