|
|
Article: Every tree killed equals another life lost. (views of environmental groups on effect of logging on rain forests) (Point Counterpoint )
- Article from:
- Wood & Wood Products
- Article date:
- March 1, 1995
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1995 Vance Publishing Corp. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Is there or is there not a tropical forest crisis? What statistics or examples can you cite to support your view?
Make no mistake: the destruction of our planet's rain forests is a crisis, and it's not getting better. Biologist Norman Myers calculates that humans are now clearing 1.2 acres of tropical rain forest every second - the area of a football field. Our species also destroys an equal amount by activities that significantly degrade the forest without completely clearing it.
On an annual basis, that adds up to an area larger than Italy. Myers determined that since the late 1970s, the destruction has been accelerating about 2 percent a year. At current ...