Every year it is estimated that more than 50 million acres (20 million hectares) of rainforest are destroyed. Rainforests are home to half of the world's plants and animals, as far as we know. Scientists discover new species of plants and animals every year.

If all of the rainforest is cut down, it will never be able to grow back. Plants will not germinate , because it will get only half of the rain required. The rainforest itself will not be able to produce the other half, as it once did. This might disrupt the rain cycle in all tropic areas.

The destruction of the rainforest could also change weather patterns. The rainforest is responsible for sending tropical heat to temperate forest regions in North America. If that warm airflow is stopped, it might change global weather patterns.

Carbon dioxide from dead rainforest trees and plants will raise greenhouse gases and speed up global warming.