The rainforest of the Amazon region of Brazil in South America covers five percent of the world's land.The area is also the home of 220,000 people from about 180 tribes（部落）who live deep in the forest. The rainforest itself is an important environment but, because of its size and location, it also plays a key part in controlling the world's climate.
However, large areas of the Amazon rainforest have been cut down to make more land for farmers.This is as six football field being opened up every minute. Much of the destruction, which leaves the land dry and dusty, is against the law.
Some people use most of the new land to grow soya, which they export to other parts of the world to be used as animal food. Millions of chickens in Western European countries are fed in South American soya beans. Increasingly, some soya beans also begin to be turned into food for humans, because many vegetarian foods are based on soya beans. Other people clear the rainforest to use the land for their cows, to sell the valuable hardwood from trees, or to find more oil.But they are at the expense of the future of the global environment.
Deforestation（滥伐森林）destroys ancient forest and changes the world's climate.They are dependent on the rainforest for everything they need, from food and tools to medicines and shelter.
A. Why do people cut down forests? B. There are a number of ways to do this. C. These activities help make more money. D. Besides, it also affects the life of local people. E. It is home to at least 30 percent of the world's animals and plants. F. How will the Amazon rainforest react to the future climate change? G. In the last few years, 70,000 square kilometers have been destroyed. |
