Enviromental Scientist

 

My name is Dr Teresa Green and I am an Environmental Scientist. I have been working in the field for over twenty years, so have years of experience and understanding about many different ecosystems and their importance. I had been completing research in a near by town when I heard about the plans of deforestation in Nakka Nakka, so I quickly put my current studies on hold so I could focus on this issue to make sure that the wrong decisions and actions were not taken. To lose this rainforest would be disastrous for many reasons.
 

  • Rainforests support a wide variety of species, both flora and fauna.
  • There are many pharmaceuticals that have been derived from rainforest ingredients.
  • The percent of rainforests remaining in the world are decreasing.
  • Rainforests offer a huge range of foods.

To be more specific:

  • One and one-half acres of rainforest are lost every second with tragic consequences for both developing and industrial countries.
  • Nearly half of the world's species of plants, animals and microorganisms will be destroyed or severely threatened over the next quarter century due to rainforest deforestation.
  • Experts estimates that we are losing 137 plant, animal and insect species every single day due to rainforest deforestation. That equates to 50,000 species a year.
  • Currently, 121 prescription drugs sold worldwide come from plant-derived sources.
  • 25% of Western pharmaceuticals are derived from rainforest ingredients.
  • Less that 1% of tropical trees and plants have been tested by scientists. Therefore there is still much to discover, not only in terms of identifying trees and plants, but also in the medicine world, and the value of these trees and plants.
  • The U.S. National Cancer Institute has identified 3000 plants that are active against cancer cells. 70% of these plants are found in the rainforest.
  • Twenty-five percent of the active ingredients in today's cancer-fighting drugs come from organisms found only in the rainforest.
  • At least 3000 fruits are found in rainforests; of these only 200 are now in use in the Western World.
  • Rainforest plants are rich in secondary metabolites, particularly alkaloids. Biochemists believe alkaloids protect plants from disease and insect attacks. Many alkaloids from higher plants have proven to be of medicinal value and benefit.

(Raintree Nutrition, 2010)

We need to convince the local council that cutting down the trees in the Nakka Nakka forest is a terrible idea in relation to environemntal impact and the local ecosystem. They need to realise that any benefits from this project, such as jobs and financial gain, cannot be regarded as more important than protecting the future of the local habitat.

 

Move onto the Process page for your next task.