Feature Photo by Rifqi Ramadhan
Having had the remarkable experience of living in Vietnam and Africa and having seen Mountain Gorilla’s after trekking through the Virunga Mountain slopes in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, I have personally witnessed the enchanting challenging aspects of many rainforests. My favourite? The forest that lies on the Zimbabwe-Mozambique border in the Eastern highlands of Zimbabwe, known as the Bvumba, or Vumba Mountains – (Vumba is the Shona name for “mist”).
While exploring these countries lush and vibrant landscapes, I observed the diverse wildlife and sensed the vital rhythm of these ecosystems. However, I also encountered the threats they confront, such as deforestation, illegal logging, and habitat destruction, all due to human use. That’s why World Rainforest Day, commemorated on June 22nd, holds a special meaning for me. It serves as a day to raise awareness, honour the importance of rainforests, and motivate collaborative efforts to safeguard these invaluable natural resources.
WHAT IS WORLD RAINFOREST DAY?
World Rainforest Day was first created to emphasise the significance of rainforests and to inspire efforts to conserve them. This global initiative, led by the Rainforest Partnership, seeks to increase awareness of the vital role rainforests play in the health of our planet and advocate for sustainable approaches. Since June 22nd, 2017, individuals worldwide have united to honour the magnificence of rainforests, recognise the obstacles they encounter, and work towards safeguarding them for generations to come.
what are rainforests?
In case you don’t know much about rainforests, I’m here to explain this concept to you today. These types of forests have a self-watering mechanism where plants release water into the atmosphere, known as transpiration. This process generates a moisture cloud over the rainforest, effectively maintaining its hydration.
These forests play a vital role in absorbing carbon dioxide, regulating climate patterns, and harbouring half of the planet’s plant and animal species. So much so that the organisers of this yearly event highlight and claim that 20% of the oxygen we breathe and the freshwater we rely on is derived from the Amazon rainforests. Concerningly, they also express that a rainforest area equivalent to 40 football fields is lost every minute, emphasising the urgency of the situation and just how much these wonders of nature are endangered. That’s why World Rainforest Day is so important!
Rainforests are lush forests with abundant rainfall, usually located in tropical areas near the equator. These environments are renowned for their diverse range of plant and animal species, as well as microorganisms. These rainforests can be subcategorised into two types: tropical and temperate rainforests.
Tropical Rainforests
Tropical rainforests, like the Amazon and the Congo Basin, are located near the equator and are warm year-round. These lush rainforests are home to an incredible diversity of plant and animal species. The Amazon rainforest, for example, is the largest tropical rainforest in the world, covering much of northwestern Brazil and extending into Colombia, Peru, and other South American countries. The Congo Basin rainforest is the second-largest tropical rainforest in Central Africa, spanning countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, and Gabon.
The unique climate and abundant rainfall in these regions support the growth of dense vegetation, making them some of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet. As I previously touched on, rainforests play a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s climate by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and producing oxygen through photosynthesis.
Unfortunately, these vital ecosystems are facing threats from deforestation, agriculture, mining, and climate change, putting countless plants and animal species at risk of extinction, as well as reducing the oxygen and water available to us humans.
Temperate Rainforests
Temperate rainforests, found in regions such as the Pacific Northwest of the United States, are cooler but equally lush. These rainforests are characterised by moderate temperatures and high levels of rainfall throughout the year.
The Pacific Northwest region, including states like Washington and Oregon, is known for its temperate rainforests that support a diverse range of plant and animal species. The cool temperatures and abundant moisture create ideal conditions for the growth of towering trees like Douglas firs, western red cedars, and Sitka spruces. The lush vegetation in temperate rainforests provides habitats for various wildlife species, including black bears, elk, bald eagles, and salmon. This unique climate of temperate rainforests contributes to their importance in maintaining biodiversity and supporting ecosystem functions, but of course, these are also endangered because of deforestation, agriculture, mining, and climate change.
THE IMPORTANCE OF RAINFORESTS
Rainforests are crucial and vibrant ecosystems that play a vital role on our planet, as I previously stated. Their importance goes beyond their beauty and biodiversity, so let’s delve deeper into why rainforests are so essential today.
They’re Biodiversity Hotspots
Rainforests, known as biodiversity hotspots, contain a vast array of plant and animal species, with an estimated 50% of the world’s biodiversity, even though they cover just 6% of the Earth’s surface.
Many species in rainforests are endemic, existing exclusively in these areas, highlighting the importance of biodiversity for ecosystem stability and resilience. Each one of these species, regardless of size, contributes to ecological balance by participating in essential processes like pollination, seed dispersal, and nutrient cycling.
They Regulate Climate
Rainforests have a crucial role in global climate regulation. They function as carbon sinks, absorbing large quantities of carbon dioxide from the air and storing it in their biomass and soil. This mechanism aids in combating climate change by decreasing the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Furthermore, rainforests impact both local and global weather patterns. Trees release water vapour through transpiration, leading to cloud formation and precipitation. This moisture can traverse continents, influencing rainfall patterns beyond the regions of the rainforests.
They Produce Oxygen
Known as the “lungs of the Earth,” rainforests play a crucial role in the planet’s oxygen cycle. Through photosynthesis, the dense vegetation in these forests transforms carbon dioxide into oxygen. Although the belief that rainforests generate 20% of the world’s oxygen is a misconception, they remain a significant source of the atmospheric oxygen we rely on.
They Maintain the World’s Water Cycle
Rainforests are essential for upholding the worldwide water cycle, as trees in the rainforest release significant amounts of water vapour into the atmosphere through transpiration. This moisture aids in creating rain clouds, which then bring water back to Earth’s surface. This ongoing process supports not only the rainforest but also agricultural and urban regions that rely on consistent rainfall.
They Protect the Soil
In a rainforest, the thick canopy shields the soil from excessive rainfall, preventing erosion. Trees and plants’ root systems secure the soil, averting landslides and preserving its fertility. Moreover, the breakdown of organic materials like fallen leaves and dead plants enhances the soil with nutrients, fostering a vibrant and fruitful ecosystem.
They Hold Medical Resources
Rainforests are rich in medicinal plants and compounds, serving as a valuable source for us humans. Numerous modern medications, such as those for cancer, malaria, and heart disease, are developed from plants found in rainforests. Indigenous societies have utilised these natural remedies for generations, and ongoing studies are uncovering new pharmaceutical possibilities. Hence another reason why preserving rainforests is essential to safeguard these priceless resources and unlock their complete benefits.
They Have Economic Benefits
Rainforests offer more than just ecological and cultural significance; they also bring substantial economic advantages. They supply timber, fruits, nuts, spices, and various non-timber forest products that bolster local economies. In addition, sustainable ecotourism plays a crucial role, providing jobs for communities and advocating for conservation by emphasising the need to protect natural environments.
They Hold Cultural Significance
Rainforests also harbour numerous indigenous communities that have thrived in and depended on these environments for centuries. These groups hold a profound knowledge of the biodiversity and ecological workings of the rainforest, which are closely linked to their traditions too. Safeguarding rainforests is not only about conservation but also entails honouring and safeguarding the cultural heritage and rights of these indigenous societies.
WHY ARE RAINFORESTS ENDANGERED?
Despite their critical importance, rainforests face significant threats. The primary reason behind rainforest destruction is deforestation, which is propelled by logging, agriculture, mining, and infrastructure development. Illegal logging and unsustainable farming practices like slash-and-burn agriculture result in habitat loss and fragmentation. Climate change worsens these problems by changing rainfall patterns and intensifying extreme weather occurrences. Pollution and exploitation add to the degradation of these ecosystems, endangering numerous species with extinction. By understanding how we’re destroying these natural habitats, we can also understand how we can stop.
Deforestation
The most significant threat to rainforests is deforestation, which involves clearing large forest areas for various human activities. The main drivers of deforestation are:
- Agricultural Expansion: Rainforest land is often converted into agricultural fields, primarily for cash crops like soy, palm oil, coffee, and cattle ranching in tropical regions. Global market demands fuel this process, resulting in extensive deforestation. A global average of 8kg of palm oil is consumed by each individual in a year. In order to produce palm oil on such a massive scale, it is said that the equivalent of 300 football fields of rainforests is cleared every hour.
- Logging: Legal and illegal logging both contribute to rainforest destruction, targeting valuable hardwood trees like mahogany and teak. Even selective logging can cause ecological harm, disrupting habitats and making way for further exploitation.
- Infrastructure Development: The construction of roads, dams, and urban areas leads to rainforest fragmentation and degradation. These developments provide access to previously untouched areas, enabling illegal activities like logging, mining, and land encroachment.
Illegal Activities
Rainforests face significant risks from illegal practices such as logging, mining, and wildlife trafficking, often due to ineffective governance, corruption, and lax enforcement of environmental laws.
- Illegal Logging: This unregulated logging not only depletes valuable timber but also harms habitats, and ecosystems, and leads to soil erosion and water pollution.
- Mining: Extracting gold, bauxite, and other minerals involves clearing vast forest areas and polluting water sources with hazardous substances like mercury and cyanide, causing lasting and destructive environmental effects.
- Wildlife Trafficking: The illicit trade in wildlife, such as exotic birds, reptiles, and mammals, endangers many rainforest species. Poaching for traditional medicine, pets, and luxury items threatens animal populations and disrupts the ecological balance.
Climate Change
Climate change worsens the threats to rainforests by changing temperature and rainfall patterns, resulting in:
- Droughts: Prolonged droughts can weaken trees, making them more vulnerable to pests and diseases. Additionally, droughts raise the risk of forest fires, which can devastate extensive rainforest areas.
- Ecosystem Changes: Due to changing climate conditions, some species may struggle to adapt quickly, leading to ecosystem shifts and biodiversity loss. Species dependent on particular climate conditions may encounter heightened competition, diseases, or even extinction.
Forest Fires
Forest fires, whether caused naturally or by humans, present a significant danger to rainforests. While some fires are a part of natural processes, many are initiated by human actions like slash-and-burn agriculture and land clearing.
- Slash-and-Burn Agriculture: This traditional farming practice involves cutting down and burning vegetation to prepare land for farming. While sustainable on a small scale, large-scale use leads to extensive deforestation and a decline in biodiversity.
- Accidental and Intentional Fires: Fires can quickly spread in dry conditions, often worsened by logging and deforestation, which leave behind dry, flammable debris. The intentional setting of fires for land clearance can also escalate, destroying vast forest areas.
Pollution
Pollution from agricultural runoff, mining, and industrial activities leads to water and soil contamination in rainforests. The toxic effects of pesticides, herbicides, and heavy metals can harm plants, animals, and local communities.
- Water Pollution: Contaminants like mercury and cyanide from mining operations pollute rivers and streams, impacting aquatic life and the well-being of communities reliant on these water sources.
- Soil Degradation: Pollutants and unsustainable farming practices degrade soil quality, diminishing fertility and prompting further deforestation as farmers search for new fertile lands.
Habitat Fragmentation
Habitat fragmentation occurs when extensive rainforest areas are divided into smaller, isolated patches due to activities like deforestation and road construction. This leads to various consequences:
- Reduced Biodiversity: Smaller, isolated forest patches cannot sustain the same diverse range of species as larger, connected areas. Species needing vast territories or specific habitats may struggle to thrive in fragmented landscapes.
- Edge Effects: Forest patch edges are more exposed to elements like wind, sunlight, and human interference, causing changes in microclimates and increased susceptibility to invasive species.
- Disrupted Migration Patterns: Many species depend on vast, uninterrupted forest expanses for migration and dispersal. Fragmentation disrupts these patterns, impacting reproductive and survival rates.
what can we do to save the ranforests?
Understanding the intricate and interrelated threats helps emphasise the importance of safeguarding our rainforests. To address these challenges effectively, we need a comprehensive strategy, which includes conservation initiatives, sustainable methods, legal measures, and international collaboration. NGOs and governments play a critical role in implementing and supporting these efforts through various programmes and policies, but governments need to do more. To preserve these crucial ecosystems for generations to come, it is essential to address the underlying causes of rainforest depletion.
As individuals, what can we do to protect the rainforest though? It turns out there’s quite a bit, even if you don’t live near one! What we consume, support with time and money, and lend our voices to have far-reaching impacts.
Related – A Glimpse Into The World Of NGOs On World Non-Governmental Organisation Day
Eliminate Deforestation from Your Diet
Many everyday foods contribute to deforestation, especially beef, soybean, and palm oil. Palm oil production is considered to be a major driver of deforestation of the world’s most bio-diverse forests. It is wiping out the habitat of endangered species such as Orangutan, pygmy elephants and Sumatran rhino. Identifying whether a product contains palm oil or its derivatives can be challenging, as they may be listed under 200 different names on ingredients lists. A useful tip is to watch for these four key terms: Palm, Stear, Laur, and Glyc.
Reducing meat intake or opting for locally sourced meat can also significantly lower demand for foods that contribute to deforestation. Sustainable eating can push companies to adopt eco-friendly practices. For example, a 25% reduction in meat consumption across the U.S. could decrease annual greenhouse gas emissions by 1% according to Rainforest Foundation US.
Buy Responsibly Sourced Products
Choosing products that are responsibly sourced or made from recycled materials can go a long way to curbing tropical deforestation. For example, if you seek out jewellry brands that use eco-friendly practices—like recycling gold in their pieces—you’ll be helping push back against gold mining in the Amazon, a leading cause of deforestation and river pollution there. Similarly, logging for threatened woods like mahogany, rosewood, and ebony drives rainforest destruction. Instead, look for alternatives that use non-tropical hardwood.
Additionally, voicing concerns to companies about their environmental practices can drive change, however: you can also refrain from purchasing products from companies who score poorly in terms of eliminating deforestation from their supply chains.
Change the Way You Use Paper Products
One major driver of rainforest deforestation is the production of paper products, as trees are harvested for hygiene items, packaging, and short-lived printed materials like flyers. To help protect rainforests, consider using recycled toilet paper or bidets, ensure paper products have Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, place a “no junk mail” sticker on your mailbox, print double-sided when necessary, and use the backs of old print-outs as scrap paper.
Related – SUSTAINABLE TOILET PAPER
Support Ecotourism, Indigenous Communities, and Conservation Efforts
Investing in ecotourism, rainforest and indigenous communities, and conservation efforts offers multiple avenues to help protect rainforests. Providing alternative livelihoods for people in rainforest regions is crucial, as they often resort to destructive jobs to sustain themselves. Supporting ecotourism is an excellent way to empower communities, offering sustainable income while encouraging locals to protect their environment. Funding land conservation projects is another valuable investment, safeguarding these areas and creating jobs when done thoughtfully, considering local realities.
The Rainforest Action Network in the US provides may initiatives that exemplify effective conservation efforts. They also provide funding to help forest peoples gain legal recognition of their territories, develop locally-based economic alternatives, and resist destructive practices such as logging and fossil fuel development.
Additionally, supporting Indigenous communities by purchasing fair trade and artisanal products can further protect rainforests. Ecotourism, particularly when managed by Indigenous groups, fosters cultural exchange and provides direct financial support to these vital defenders of the rainforests.
Choose Products That Give Back
Support companies that donate to environmental causes. Certified B Corporations offer various products that contribute to environmental initiatives. Encouraging your workplace or school to switch to such products can amplify the impact.
Related – B Corp Brands
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Reducing personal carbon emissions is crucial in combating climate change. This includes driving less, using public transport, and avoiding fast fashion. Calculating your carbon footprint can help identify areas for improvement. Supporting projects that maintain forests is another effective measure.
Climate Hero has a climate calculator on their website which enables you to check how you are doing and gives advice on how to improve. It takes about 5 minutes to complete.
Get Political
Engage with elected officials to advocate for policies that protect rainforests and Indigenous land management. Support for low-carbon development and responsible sourcing can be promoted through consistent political engagement. Voting in local elections is also a powerful tool for change. The Rainforest Foundation UK has some great suggestions on how to get involved.
If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll probably be able to see that everything is intertwined when we talk about sustainability and every aspect of life affects aspects of the planet. By taking these steps, you can significantly contribute to the preservation of rainforests, even from afar.