WHY
Flying over the heart of the Amazon is like flying
over an ocean of green: an expanse of trees broken only by rivers. Even more
amazing than their size is the role the Amazon and other rainforests around the
world play in our everyday lives.
While rainforests may seem like a
distant concern, these ecosystems are critically important for our well-being.
Rainforests are often called the lungs of the planet for their role in
absorbing carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and producing oxygen, upon which
all animals depend for survival. Rainforests also stabilize climate, house
incredible amounts of plants and wildlife, and produce nourishing rainfall all
around the planet.
Rainforests:
over an ocean of green: an expanse of trees broken only by rivers. Even more
amazing than their size is the role the Amazon and other rainforests around the
world play in our everyday lives.
While rainforests may seem like a
distant concern, these ecosystems are critically important for our well-being.
Rainforests are often called the lungs of the planet for their role in
absorbing carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and producing oxygen, upon which
all animals depend for survival. Rainforests also stabilize climate, house
incredible amounts of plants and wildlife, and produce nourishing rainfall all
around the planet.
Rainforests:
- help stabilize the world’s climate;
- provide a home to many plants and animals;
- maintain the water cycle
- protect against flood, drought, and erosion;
- are a source for medicines and foods;
- support tribal people; and
- are an interesting place to visit