The Amazon rainforest is the largest rainforest in the world, containing the largest river and source of fresh water. It is home to thousands of species, with new species still being discovered regularly. However, deforestation is a major threat, with over 2.7 million acres disappearing between 2006-2007. This level of deforestation could result in the loss of over half of the Amazon rainforest by 2030. The destruction of the rainforest also negatively impacts indigenous populations and has consequences for medical research as many potential treatments are lost when plant and animal species go extinct.

1. The AmazonThe Amazon
By Omar MadridBy Omar Madrid

2. What is it?What is it?
 Is the largest rainIs the largest rain
forest in the world.forest in the world.
 Largest river andLargest river and
fresh water in thefresh water in the
world.world.
 One fifth of freeOne fifth of free
flowing fresh waterflowing fresh water
in the world. (worldin the world. (world
wildlife)wildlife)

3. What is it?What is it?
 Home to thousandsHome to thousands
of species. 1 of 10of species. 1 of 10
in the world.in the world.
 Still discoveringStill discovering
more and moremore and more
species.species.
 3 species found3 species found
every 3 daysevery 3 days
(wwf).(wwf).

4. What is it?What is it?
 More than 20 percent of worlds air isMore than 20 percent of worlds air is
produced in this rain forest alone.produced in this rain forest alone.
(Amazon rainforest)(Amazon rainforest)

5. Were is it?Were is it?
 It is located inIt is located in
South America.South America.
 It is shared by 9It is shared by 9
countries.countries.
 60 percent of it is60 percent of it is
in Brazil and coversin Brazil and covers
almost half thealmost half the
country.country.
 3.4 million sq.3.4 million sq.
miles.miles.

6. ProblemsProblems
 Deforestation is aDeforestation is a
big problembig problem
 August of 2006-August of 2006-
July2007 theJuly2007 the
governmentgovernment
reported thatreported that
deforestation haddeforestation had
fallen for the thirdfallen for the third
consecutive year.consecutive year.
(Amazon(Amazon
rainforest)rainforest)

7. ProblemsProblems
 With in that time period the BrazilianWith in that time period the Brazilian
government reported that more thangovernment reported that more than
2.7 million acres had disappeared.2.7 million acres had disappeared.
 This is equal to about 4 football fieldsThis is equal to about 4 football fields
per minute.per minute.
 Scientist predict that by 2030 we willScientist predict that by 2030 we will
lose 55% of the Amazonian rainlose 55% of the Amazonian rain
forest. (wwf)forest. (wwf)

8. ProblemsProblems
 But animals live there too!But animals live there too!
 According to the World wild life fundAccording to the World wild life fund
a report has shown that 1,200a report has shown that 1,200
species were found with in thespecies were found with in the
periods of 1999-2009.periods of 1999-2009.
 But as deforestation continues thatBut as deforestation continues that
number will start to fall.number will start to fall.

9. ProblemsProblems
 The burning of the forest isThe burning of the forest is
a problem with the localsa problem with the locals
that own the land.that own the land.
 According to the WWF weAccording to the WWF we
lose a football field a daylose a football field a day
because of fire.because of fire.
 Other problems areOther problems are
incorrect farming, miningincorrect farming, mining
that contributes to soilthat contributes to soil
erosion and watererosion and water
contamination, oil pipecontamination, oil pipe
lines, road project,lines, road project,
population growth, Damspopulation growth, Dams
for hydro-electrical power,for hydro-electrical power,
oil and gas explorationoil and gas exploration

10. How is it affecting us?How is it affecting us?
 The Amazon has still yet to be fullyThe Amazon has still yet to be fully
discovered. New plant life and animals arediscovered. New plant life and animals are
found every day.found every day.
 Currently according to (rain tree) theCurrently according to (rain tree) the
western world uses about 25% of plants inwestern world uses about 25% of plants in
Pharmaceuticals.Pharmaceuticals.
 U.S. National Cancer Institute “3,000U.S. National Cancer Institute “3,000
plants that are active against cancer cells.plants that are active against cancer cells.
70% of these plants are found in the70% of these plants are found in the
rainforest. 25% of the active ingredients inrainforest. 25% of the active ingredients in
today's cancer fighting drugs come fromtoday's cancer fighting drugs come from
organisms found only in the rain forest”organisms found only in the rain forest”

11. How is it affecting us?How is it affecting us?
 Deforestation is also driving away or killing theDeforestation is also driving away or killing the
indigenous people of the Amazon. Many of whichindigenous people of the Amazon. Many of which
have the knowledge of the plants for medicinalhave the knowledge of the plants for medicinal
purposes.purposes.
 According to (rain tree) Every time a medicineAccording to (rain tree) Every time a medicine
man dies it is as if a library has burned down. Orman dies it is as if a library has burned down. Or
if he doesn’t pass down his knowledge to the nextif he doesn’t pass down his knowledge to the next
generation its like losing thousands of years ofgeneration its like losing thousands of years of
irreplaceable knowledge about medicinal plants.irreplaceable knowledge about medicinal plants.
 There were more than ten million Indians fiveThere were more than ten million Indians five
centuries ago, today there are less than 200,000.centuries ago, today there are less than 200,000.
(rain tree)(rain tree)

12. SolutionsSolutions
 Educating the public can help a lot. WithEducating the public can help a lot. With
knowledge every one knows what theyknowledge every one knows what they
should do and don’t.should do and don’t.
 The Local government should also take theThe Local government should also take the
effort to take care of the rain forest. Toeffort to take care of the rain forest. To
see that there is more profit to be madesee that there is more profit to be made
with the keeping of the forest, than to cutwith the keeping of the forest, than to cut
it down, as well as the companies thatit down, as well as the companies that
want to destroy it.want to destroy it.

13. Solutions in placeSolutions in place
 There are many organizations thatThere are many organizations that
are fighting to keep the rainforest.are fighting to keep the rainforest.
 Some governments are alreadySome governments are already
trying to preserve the rain forest,trying to preserve the rain forest,
and stop companies from tearingand stop companies from tearing
them down.them down.

14. ConclusionConclusion
 We must respect the land that weWe must respect the land that we
are given and leave things the wayare given and leave things the way
that they are.that they are.
 Education in how these naturalEducation in how these natural
wonders will help in keeping the rainwonders will help in keeping the rain
forest.forest.

15. BibliographyBibliography
 Raintree.com 2006Raintree.com 2006
 Worldwildlife.org 2010 world wild life fundWorldwildlife.org 2010 world wild life fund
 Amazon-rainforest.org 2004 Amazon-rainforestAmazon-rainforest.org 2004 Amazon-rainforest
 Mongabay.com 2010 mongabayMongabay.com 2010 mongabay
 Projectamazonias.org 2009 project AmazoniansProjectamazonias.org 2009 project Amazonians