All over the world the cures for thousands of diseases are being thrown away! Why? Plants species are disappearing more quickly than they can be studied because of deforestation. Helping in the effort to stop the destruction of plants and their habitats will ultimately help you. What�s so special about plants anyway? Each part of the world has a unique variety of plants giving each region its own personality and culture. Because of deforestation, many of these unique indigenous plants are in danger of becoming extinct. Some of these plants have very useful medical remedies while others serve as a main food source for exotic animals. Roughly half of our medicines come from compounds found in plants. Aspirin originated from the willow tree; penicillin from a mold. The rosy periwinkle plant holds the key to fighting rare blood cancers. And taxol, a possible cure for both ovarian and breast cancer, comes from the Pacific yew, once considered a "waste tree". In general, Plants are essential for humans; they provide us with food, shelter, medicine, and act as natural air and water purifiers just for starters. Humans as well as most other organisms are aerobic, relying on oxygen in order to obtain energy. Land plants and algae, through photosynthesis and carbon fixation, make it possible for aerobic organisms to survive by changing carbon dioxide into oxygen and organic compounds. Because of plants, earth�s atmosphere is 20% oxygen. Plants are depended on for much of the human diet. Cereals, fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices all come from plants. Animals also rely on the food plants provide. Trees and shrubs are an important source for building materials, and paper products. Other plants such as grasses help to prevent land erosion. But why are plants becoming endangered? Ok, so all over the world indigenous plants are becoming threatened, endangered and extinct, but why is this happening? The habitats of these plants are being destroyed. People are destroying forests all around the world for several reasons: - To clear land for agricultural use - For lumber to make wood and paper products - To clear land for indusrial development. Deforestation is happening all over the word. It�s not just happening in South America or Africa or some place on the other side of the world that no one has ever herd of, it�s happening in your backyard too. The United states alone has 5,000 different species in trouble and 200 have already gone extinct. How can I help? To solve this problem, we must slow down deforestation. Helping is easier than you think, and you don't have to stand in front of a bulldozer. One person doing their share in recycling paper can make a huge difference. On average, a person wastes about 99lb of paper every year. Reducing paper use will lessen the demand for new paper and will ultimately slow down deforestation. There are many other ways to help too. You can join an organization, donate money or volunteer.Click here to find out more ways you can help

Keep Earth Cleen Some species of the African Violet are endangered because of forest clearance. More threatened/endangered plants Helpful Links: Center for Plant Concervation National Tropical Botanical Garden Plants National Database Forest Stewardship Council(FSC) Global Green Green Peace Environmental Defense Fund(EFD) You are visitor #

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