Long ago, the Earth had a green belt of rain forests around its middle
that covered almost twelve percent of the earth's land surface.(Miller
& Berry 3) Today, the rain forest covers two percent of the earth's
land surface and it is declining rapidly. The following will be a
description of the rain forest, factors in its destruction, and if
there are any answers to slow or halt the process. "Today, as we enter
the last decade of the twentieth century, we have reached a turning
point; we can no longer use the excuse of ignorance."(Hammond 2) People
need to try harder to stop rain forest depletion. There are two major
areas on earth where rain forests are located. One of these areas is
called "The Old World Tropics," which includes Africa and Asia. In
Africa, the rain forests are primarily located around the Zaire river.
The other area in which rain forests are located is called "The New
World Tropics," which contains Central and South America. The New World
tropics are in lower altitudes as opposed to the Old World tropics,
which are at higher altitudes. Rain forests are located around the
equator. This location of the rain forests makes them warm and humid
all year round. There are never cold winters in the rain forests.
During winter in the rain forests, people comfortably are able to wear
T-shirts and shorts. The rain forest has a rainy season which usually
lasts most of the year. "The rain forests of the world are home to more
than half of the animal species that live on earth."(CSIRO 1) Many of
these creatures are some of the most beautiful and odd creatures in the
world, Such as the large rodent Capybara, the Anteater, and many
different colorful exotic birds. There are many beautiful creatures
living in our Earth's rain forests. Many people are ignorant to the
effects of rain forest depletion on our environment, and this ignorance
is a major cause in the beginning of the destruction of the rain
forests...