5 Reasons We Don't Need The Rainforest

And one reason why we really do...

1. Paper

Via flic.kr

Felling trees for the purpose of creating paper pulp can be a thing of the past. There are numerous recycled alternatives and even paper made from elephant poop (yes, poop)!

2. Palm Oil

CIFOR / Via flic.kr

Palm oil seems like it's in everything, but why? A lot of vegetable oils are suitable substitutes and scientists recently discovered a truly revolutionary alternative: a type of yeast.

3. Precious metals and gemstones

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Humans have figured out how to create these sought-after materials in labs… so why destroy the rainforest to extract them?

4. Tropical Hardwoods

Tomas Munita / Via flic.kr

Some species of trees are close to extinction. There are many alternatives to tropical hardwoods like eco-friendly synthetics that look and feel like real wood.

5. Animal Parts

Steve Cottrel / Via flic.kr

Countless species have been driven to extinction and many more are on their way thanks to humans. Animal parts are still widely popular for medicinal use in parts of Asia, while trophy hunting is somehow a popular "sport" for wealthy Americans.

And the one reason you do need the rainforest? LIFE. The air you breathe.

Ryan Hawk / Via flic.kr

The lush, dense vegetation of the rainforest sucks up carbon dioxide and gives us the oxygen we need to survive. 20% of the world’s oxygen comes from the Amazon rainforest alone. Isn’t that reason enough to save it?