Why save the rainforest?

Sara Schwarz

WRIT 101

Michelle Brown

18 September 2011

Why save the rainforest?

Only 6% of the earth is covered by the rainforest (www.srl.caltech.edu). In that small percentage lives almost half of the world’s species of plants and animals (www.srl.caltech.edu). The importance of the rainforests seems a little more evident when compared this way doesn’t it? I never realized the peril the rainforests were in until I went to one. Over the summer I was involved in a volunteer project that was located on the outskirts of the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica. I was both shocked and amazed at how vast the rainforest seemed up close and then upon comparison on a map I realized its actual size. It was quite sad. Unfortunately everyone doesn’t have the opportunity of traveling to a place as amazing as this. So how do we inspire people to help? Clearly broadcasting the issue on Animal Planet over and over is not a solution. I believe that instead of only educating the public about how the rainforests are disappearing, we should also be giving specific examples of how to help out. It is easy to say “the rainforest is disappearing, do something about it”, but who knows where to even start?

One thing I learned in Costa Rica was how much buying exotic pets from a pet store effects the jungle populations. The capuchin monkeys for example, are taken when they are very young for easy training. The capuchin mothers are extremely fierce and will not release their babies unless they are killed. So as you can see, there is not just one monkey taken from the jungle, another is killed. The scarlet macaws are another animal taken for the pet trade. They are quite possibly the most beautiful bird on earth and so they obviously captivate exotic pet owners. According to an article responding to the Costa Rican conservation efforts there are only two populations left in Costa Rica and combined they only contain about 700 individuals (Vaughan, Nemeth, Cary, Temple 1). These birds are threatened and yet many people don’t care if they can make a profit off of them. A very efficient way of saving species in the jungle would be to avoid buying any threatened or endangered animals. Even if you are told that the individual was hand raised, just remember the possibility that it only became hand raised after its mother was killed and the screaming baby was pried from its mother’s back.

Not only is illegal selling of jungle animals detrimental to the rainforests, the byproducts of slow growing or endangered trees are still being used. A few species of trees, such as the Walking Palm, are very marketable. This one in particular usually only has the top cut off for the makings of a salad. After the top is cut off the tree does not survive very well if at all. Sadly, these trees grow painfully slow and cannot keep up with the rate they are being cut down. Other hardwood trees are also cut down to make various things such as bowls, silverware, and tourist items. Another way of helping the rainforest is to be a picky buyer. Do your research and know what trees are being sustainably harvested and do not be afraid of questioning a seller about what he/she is selling.

My eyes have been opened to the impending doom of the rainforests everywhere. I wish everyone had the same experience I did, but it is not possible. The solution for this issue cannot solely be left to those who have observed it. We need to let people know how they can help. The only thing I can do for now is be a good advocate for the tragedy that I have seen and hope that I am heard.

Works Cited

Caltech. Where are the Rainforests. Web. 18 September 2011

Vaughan, Christopher, et al. Response of a Scarlet Macaw Ara macao population to conservation practices in Costa Rica. United Kingdom. BirdLife Interntational. 2005. Web. 18 September 2011