Certain moments in life take our breath away - from the sun's rising on a quiet morning to the powerful rush of waves at the beach. Amazing moments that remind us of the power, grace, and beauty of the world around us.
Put simply - when we stop to take a breath of fresh air in the great outdoors, we are reminded that life is to be celebrated, explored, and enjoyed.
The rainforest is one of those places.
Recapturing The Awe of The Rainforest
From the top of a hiking trail to the bottom of a sinkhole - there are few things more breathtaking than the moment you discover an undisturbed patch of rainforest and take in the sights and sounds of the lungs of our planet. You awaken and realize that you are in an ancient ecosystem that has sustained itself for hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of years. Long before we ever called Earth home.
So why do we continue to deforest and diminish jungles all over the world? It's time for a reminder of the incredible beauty and majesty of one of nature's most powerful biological engines - the rainforest.
To bring us back to a place of awe and inspiration for protecting the Earth's rainforests, here are 10 amazing facts that remind us of how extraordinary these ecosystems are.
10 Incredible Facts About The Rainforest
1. The Rainforest is the World's Largest Natural Habitat
The rainforest is home to 20% of the world's known species. It accounts for almost 3 billion acres and is found in hot and exotic tropical places all over the globe.
2. Home to More than Half of all Life on Earth
This includes animals, plants, insects, fungi, and microorganisms. It is also home to millions of indigenous people who have lived in these forests for thousands of years.
3. Rainforests Are Historic
The rainforests are ancient. From the Dinosaurs to the Great Pyramids, these majestic ecosystems have seen it all - while quietly growing, flourishing and inhabiting some of the most unique species on the planet.
4. Rainforests are a Vital Part of Our Ecosystem
Rainforests produce oxygen, regulate the climate, and recycle water. They absorb carbon dioxide while generating an enormous 30% of the world's oxygen. What’s most unreal? They are home to 80% of all terrestrial life forms on the Earth.
5. The Rainforest Is Self-Sustaining
Rainforests have had all the time in the world to learn how to survive on their own. They have everything they need and only grow with ample sunlight, water, nutrients, and space.
6. Every Minute 10 Species are Going Extinct
According to research, we’re losing 4,000 to 6,000 rainforest species to destruction every 12 months.
The rainforest contains over half of all species on earth, which means if things continue to decline at this rate, we will be losing a lot more than just the forests.
7. In the Rainforest Everything Is Alive
Rainforests have their own ecosystems with unique biological cycles. Plants not only grow - they breathe and digest. Animals, fungi, and bacteria act as decomposers that turn dead plant material into the soil - all while creating food for other creatures in the process.
8. The Rainforest is Full of Wild Edibles
Rainforests are home to an enormous variety of edible fruits, nuts, plants, roots, and tubers.
9. The Rainforest Feeds the Human Race
Much of the foods we eat today come from the rainforest - bananas, cacao beans for chocolate, coffee beans, and vanilla are all harvested from the wild.
10. The Rainforest Is a Vast Source for Natural Medicines
Most of the medicines we use today come from plants found in rainforests, including aspirin, quinine (for treating malaria), and morphine - as well as thousands more that are currently being examined by modern science.
The Need Has Never Been Greater
The world is currently in a state of change - and unfortunately, the current trajectory doesn't look too good for our rainforests. The need to protect these valuable resources is dire as we already find ourselves losing hundreds of species each year.
Now it is more important than ever to spread awareness about the importance of protecting the jungles at home and abroad.
Not all hope is lost, though. It's time for the next generation to take a stand to protect the rainforests to ensure that we have these vital resources for generations to come.
We can do it. The first step is learning about our forests, knowing how important they are - and finally taking action.
Take Action with Tropical Tundra
One of those actions can be as simple as choosing what you wear. At Tropical Tundra, our tribe of jungle guardians is dedicated to defending the Earth's rainforests come hell or high water.
Our team is dedicated to creating high-quality, sustainable clothing that is comfortable, stylish and helps you make a statement for our world's most precious natural resources.
With every Tropical Tundra shirt you purchase, the proceeds go to fund the protection of 3 acres of endangered rainforest in partnership with our charity partner, Rainforest Trust. Together, we can fight back against deforestation and help recover our rainforest's passion, beauty, and power.
The change begins with you.
Click Here to shop Tropical Tundra and help us combat deforestation. You can be the hero our rainforest needs.