The Amazon, the largest rainforest in the world, is suffering from large amounts of deforestation, or the clearing of trees. More than 150 acres lost every minute of every day, and 78 million acres lost every year! More than 20 percent of the Amazon rainforest is already gone, and much more is severely threatened as the destruction continues. It is estimated that the Amazon alone is vanishing at a rate of 20,000 square miles a year. About one quarter of the western medicine used today has ingredients that originated in the Amazon Rainforest. With so many unidentified trees and plants, it is logical to conclude that many more have medi cinal value that has not yet been discovered. If deforestation continues, we may never know how many more have potential to help save lives.People need oxygen to survive and the Amazon's trees and plants are responsible for providing more than 20% of the w orld’s oxygen. People from around the world rely on the Amazon for a huge portion of their daily diets. Fruits, nuts, rice, corn, coffee, potatoes, vegetables, spices, and many other important foods are grownhere. The availability of these foods will become scarce if the rainforest, as we know it,disappears. With continued activities of deforestation, we may be heading towards a detrimental end to one of the most important regions of the world which is helping in preservation and conservation of various species of the world.

Government needs to take immediate steps to stop the massive deforestation, starting with the Amazon Rainforest. I would urge all to sign this petition so that it can voice the concern we all have and help in finding a solution to it to save our world.