SAWSP Expeditions Team 13 and the Rainforest Rescue!

forest, they clear out space that these people use to find food and support themselves, threatening their way of life. It is believed that the Amazonian forests alone store over half of the Earth's rainwater! Rainforest trees draw water from the forest floor and release it back into the atmosphere within clouds and mists. Without rainforests continually recycling water, and filling rivers, lakes and irrigation systems, droughts would become more common and could lead to hunger, poverty, and disease. The soil in the rainforest is very poor in nutrients. This is because the nutrients are stored in the vast numbers of trees and plants rather than in the soil. Tree roots bind the soil together, and the top part- the canopy- protects the soil from heavy rains. When a tree dies and its trunk falls to the forest floor, it decays and the nutrients it contains are recycled. If trees are removed from the forest, the nutrients are removed with it. That soil is then washed away in heavy rains and can cause floods in some rivers while leaving others completely dry. So what can you do to help the rainforest? ● Make your voice heard, and/or ask a parent to use theirs to help. Social media can be used to spread knowledge about what is going on in the Amazon Rainforest and how to help. It can help get governments involved and hold them accountable. Ask your parents to help you write a letter to your local government representative! Your voice matters. Additionally, to raise money for the cause, you and your friends can do various fundraisers to support the Amazon. ● Avoid Palm Oil. Palm oil, found, which is common in most houses. Unfortunately, it’s a key contributor to rainforest deforestation! Read your food and product labels carefully, and try to find alternatives for it, and choose companies that make responsibly sources products. ● heater or air conditioning (by lowering heat and A/C) you can save energy! ● Support indigenous communities. By buying products that they have made, you can help support responsible products from the rainforest and learn about different cultures. ● Reduce your carbon emission. The rainforest can store a lot of carbon, but there is beginning to be too much for it to handle. Ask your parents if you can drive less and walk more, or take public transportation, and by adjusting your home Thank you for reading! We hope you enjoyed it. :) -Jumobi and Maahum.