How to Conserve the Rainforest

The world's rainforests are among our most precious natural resources. Many rare species of plants and animals live in the rainforests. As modern civilization continues to progress, an increasing percentage of the world's rainforests are cleared for commercial purposes. Thankfully, there are many easy things you can do to help conserve the rainforest.

Things You'll Need

• Recycle bins
• Beef-free meals
• Handkerchiefs
• Rags

Instructions

Conserve the Rainforest by Recycling

1. Buy paper made from recycled materials. There's really no need to do otherwise, as recycled paper is available everywhere. Recycled paper often costs no more than regular paper.

2. Participate in any recycling programs your local government has implemented. Place two garbage cans in your kitchen and encourage the family to sort recyclable paper products from general garbage. Your local waste management department may supply homes with special outdoor garbage cans for disposing of recyclable materials.

3. Encourage recycling at your office. Talk to management about supplying recycling bins in addition to garbage cans. Circulate an office memo concerning conservation and recycling efforts.

Reduce Paper Usage to Save the Rainforest

1. Turn to online news sources instead of printed hard copies of newspapers. Experts estimate that 30 million trees are cleared each year solely for the production of newspapers. Much of the trees used for newspapers come from tropical rainforest sources.

2. Build a new home from materials other than trees. While American homes have been built from trees for generations, this has more to do with tradition than necessity. It's possible to build a home with little or no wood by using cob, rammed earth or PSP building techniques.

3. Limit the amount of beef in your diet. It's estimated that 55 square feet of forest must be cleared to produce a single quarter-pound burger. While many fast food chains boast that they only use U.S. beef, the USDA only effectively labels where beef is processed and not where it's raised.

4. Blow your nose into a washable handkerchief instead of tissue papers. Likewise, use towels and rags to clean your home instead of wasteful paper towels. Sacrifice a little convenience to help conserve our planet's rainforests.

Reuse Paper Whenever Possible

1. Hang onto old pieces of junk mail. While you can't stop companies from wasting trees to produce ads that nobody reads, you can still put the paper to good use. Use old envelopes from credit card offers to take phone messages or make "to do" lists.

2. Wrap your Christmas presents in old newspapers. While colorful, shiny wrapping paper has been associated with the birth of Christ during modern times, there's no practical or Biblical justification for the practice. Use the Christmas season as an opportunity to help conserve our planet's precious natural resources.

Tips & Warnings

• Help to conserve the rainforest by being selective about where you spend your hard-earned dollars. Many corporations have made strides to be more ecologically conscious. Reward their efforts by buying their goods and services.