Destructions of Rainforest Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Destructions of Rainforest - Research Paper Example For example, The Amazonian rainforest of South America contributes 20% of the world’s oxygen. Rainforest contributes to pharmaceutical developments in the world. Flora and fauna in the rainforest are used in production of approximately 25-40% of pharmaceutical products with a minimal percentage of native life tested for use. Recently, human activities have drastically reduced the size of rainforests. Most scientists argue that tropical rainforests face exhaustion through the current deforestation rate between the years 2030-2050 (politics.co.uk, 2012). Background Human civilization has led to degradation of rainforests. The rise in human population and the quest for fertile land for agriculture contributed to loss of most forests. Advancements in civilization during the industrial revolution led to increased demand for wood fuel and fertile land for agriculture. Improvements in transport and communication affected rainforests. Deforestation accelerated in the 20th century. The modern version for destruction of rainforests was for commercial purposes. Commercial logging, deforestation to create space for livestock rearing became reasons for rainforest destruction. Creation of European sugar plantations in coastal Brazil and Caribbean propagated rainforest destruction. ... Controversies Science argues that destruction of rainforests has negative impacts on the earth. Destruction of biodiversity and indigenous culture is promoted. Desertification and land degradation promotes loss in soil fertility and Greenhouse Effect which reduces the planet’s ability to recycle carbon dioxide. Economic and politics play roles in deforestation. Most rainforests are found in developing countries, which are characterized by weak political and social institutions. Developing countries depend on timber, land for agriculture, and other valuable resources for economic development. Palm oil production and soy industries pose a threat to deforestation. Conservation measur es enforced by the developed world do not reflect the interest of developing countries. This controversy has led to the debate on conservation of rainforests as a rich-poor agenda. Guidelines used to curb rainforest destruction are flouted by some governments. A country like Brazil faces criticism by environmental organizations like Worldwide Fund for Nature for continuous logging and deforestation practices. Despite this opposition, the developed world cannot be blamed for international pressure. Surveys conducted reveal that most European countries react meagerly to stop illegal importation of timber and other rainforest products. Among the EU states, UK is singled out as the only state that monitors its sources of timber. Consumption of timber products in developed countries remains to soar. The timber products fetch smart money from developed countries than developing ones (politics.co.uk, 2012). As a result, indigenous communities from rainforest areas suffer from catastrophe d ecline. Mortality rates have increased because of diseases like flu, measles and smallpox.