The rainforests are disappearing at an alarming rate. Once covering 14% of the Earth’s surface, they now cover only 6% and are diminishing, rapidly. With the destruction of the rainforests, the world is losing entire species of plant and animal life, and scientists are only now beginning to learn what the impact of rainforest devastation will be on the world’s ecosystem.

Why the Rainforests Are Being Destroyed

Economics plays the biggest role in the destruction of the rainforests. They are being logged for their timber. They are being mowed down or burned to provide acreage for housing projects or ranching and farming purposes.

World population increases play a role, as well. In 1996, the Forest Alliance in British Columbia released the following statement: "The global population has more than tripled this century, and will continue to grow for the next 50 years, particularly in developing countries. World population is expected to reach ten billion by 2050." This increase in population increases consumption of natural products, such as wood. Although wood is a renewable source, the need for more lumber is growing more quickly than can new trees. The rainforests are a source that can be harvested now.

How to Protect the Rainforests

Environmentalists are trying to protect the rainforests from complete destruction, a situation that scientists predict will likely happen, regardless, sometime during in this century. One way in which everyone can help protect the rainforest is to boycott the products that have come from harvesting the forests.

Tourism can do its part, as well. Ecotourism is a new term that will likely become more common as more people become aware of the need to protect the world’s ecosystems. Ecotourism is a marriage between recreation in a natural area and economic stability to the local people. Ecotourism is mindful of its surroundings, taking care to understand the natural beauty of the area and not alter it in any way. Tourists should not disturb animals from their habitat or leave trash and waste materials.

Ecotourism also is important for the locals because the money that comes from tourists allows the local communities to be solvent without having to destroy the rainforests to earn money.