cent of the oxygen you breathe comes from the rainforest and 40% comes from phytoplankton that may live in the rainforest that is especially sensitive to pesticides. And only 10% of the oxygen in the atmosphere right now comes from sources other than the rainforest. The rainforest also is important to the world’s climate because it cleanses the atmosphere of toxins. As the levels of pollution are rising, it is important to cleanse the atmosphere of such harmful agents. There are things that can be done to stop the destruction and save the forests. But many people and companies are not willing to take the necessary steps to rebuild the rainforest and shelter the indigenous people. In correspondence with Mr. Herb Vickers, Jr., General Manager of ARCO Oriente, Inc., I asked of the reasons why they were destroying the forest in Ecuador. He replied: We believe that ARCO brings a critical difference assisting the government in meeting needs - our commitment to explore and develop in a manner that preserves the interests of the local communities and generates economic and social benefits for the region while working toward the continued vitality of Ecuador He blames the destruction of the rainforest on the lack of interest of the people. And he states what many others are unwilling to say; they are afraid to preserve the forests in third world countries because of the economic stress it would put on the country’s economy. The truth is that studies show that farming from the forest as an alternative of desertification is more prosperous - because as soon as rainforest land is clear cut it is only fertile and fruitful for about four years. Then the nutrients are worn out and the land becomes susceptible to erosion which, in turn, causes flooding which can cause considerable damage to a third world country’s economy itself!Many organizations that are dedicated to protecting the rainforests have realized that the only ...
