One reaction to all the concern about tropical deforestation is a blank stare that asks the question,
"Since I don't live there, what does it have to do with me?"
     The answer is that your way of life, wherever you live in the world, is tied to the tropics in many
ways. If you live in a house, wash your hair, eat fruits and vegetables, drink soda, or drive a car, you
can be certain that you are affected by the loss of tropical forests.
    Biologically, we are losing the richest regions on earth when, each minute, a piece of tropical forest,
the size of ten city blocks, disappears. As many as five million species of plants, animals, and insects
(40 to 50 percent of all living things) live there, and are being lost faster than they can be found and
described. Their loss is immeasurable.
    Take rubber for example. For many uses, only natural rubber from trees will do. Synthetics are not
good enough. Today over half the world's commercial rubber is produced in Malaysia and Indonesia,
while the Amazon's rubber industry produces much of the world's four million tons. And rubber is an
important material in making gloves, balloons, footwear and many sporting goods. Thousands of other
tropical plants are valuable for their industrial use.
    Many scientists strongly believe that deforestation contributes to the greenhouse effect -or heating
of the earth from increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. As we destroy forests, we lose their
ability to change carbon dioxide into oxygen.
    Carbon dioxide levels could double within the next half-century, warming the earth by as much as
4.5 degrees. The result? A partial melt-down of polar ice caps, raising sea levels as much as 24 feet;
even 15 feet could threaten anyone living within 35 miles of the coast. Unbelievable? Maybe. But
scientists warn that by the time we realise the severe effects of tropical deforestation, it will be 20
years too late.
    Can tropical deforestation affect our everyday lives? Now, you should have got the answer.