Fuels from the Rainforests
Most of our daily lives depend on the burning of natural fossil fuels such as coal and oil. Unfortunately, supplies of these fuels are dwindling, and a new cheap way to acquire these fuels needs to be found.
Most of our daily lives depend on the burning of natural fossil fuels such as coal and oil. Unfortunately, supplies of these fuels are dwindling, and a new cheap way to acquire these fuels needs to be found.
When first exploring the rainforest, scientists discovered that certain tropical trees produced hydrocarbons when burned. When these hydrocarbons were mixed with water, and the water was later extracted, oil remained.
Later scientists discovered the copa-iba tree which produces nearly pure diesel fuel - fuel that is burned by large trucks. Indians had used this oil as a skin softener, but trucks can run on this oil even when the oil is in its raw form. From a single bunghole, this tree can release about 5 galloons in two hours and can be tapped twice a year. The Brazilian government has already planted thousands of tree seedlings, bringing a potential fossil fuel alternative as well as supplying an estimated 20% of its diesel fuel.
Other Resources of the Tropical Rainforests
Many acids, alcohols, dyes, fibers, flavorings, latexes, lubricants, resins, sweeteners, and waxes are all derived from tropical rainforests. The white latex of the chicle tree in Central America used to be the base for chewing gum. The bark of the chicle tree was slashed open and the gooey sap of the tree was collected in small cups. The sap was then cooked until it could be molded into blocks to sell.
Today chewing gum is based on synthetic resin, but some chicle is still extracted and sold from Central America every year. The export of chicle, rubber, palm, and bamboo is very important to the economies of tropical countries. The trade of spices and oils from the tropical rainforests
such as camphor, cardamom, citronella, and cinnamon is a large part of world economics
