Why It Is so Important to Preserve Our Rainforests

Preserving Our Rainforests

In Walden, a novel written by Henry David Thoreau, Thoreau states, “I would that our farmers when they cut down a forest felt some of that awe which the old Romans did when they came to thin, or let light to, a consecrated grove, (lucum conlucare) that is, would believe that it is sacred to some god” (Walden House-Warming 13). By comparing forests to a “god”, Thoreau implies that forests are something sacred and spiritual, and they shouldn’t be taken advantage of by humans and used irresponsibly. Thoreau would agree that today’s problems with the world’s rainforests are something to be concerned with. The rainforest is one of Earth’s oldest living ecosystem. Rainforests take up only a mere 6% of the Earth’s surface; yet, they are home to more than half of the world’s plant and animal species (Taylor). They also contain many beneficial natural resources and medicines. However, deforestation continues to be an issue to the indigenous creatures and these resources. About one and a half acres are lost every second due to deforestation; that mean 46-58 thousand square miles are destroyed each year (Taylor). At this rate, in less than 40 years, the rainforest will be nonexistent. If no measures are taken to reduce these rates of destruction, the world will lose one of its most precious ecosystem. Thoreau would recognize that the rainforest should be protected in order to preserve the following: its indigenous creatures including animals, plants, and people; its natural medicines; and its useful byproducts and natural resources. Individuals can take simple steps in order preserve these essential aspects of the rainforest.

Over 10 million species of animals, plants, and insects live in the rainforest. H...

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