June, 22 World Rainforest day is celebrated all over the world to protect all the rainforests on the earth. Also, to raise awareness and motivate people not to cut down the forests. There is a concerning statement regarding this, "That an area as large as the size of 40 football fields is lost every minute of every day.'

History

The first World Rainforest Day was celebrated on June 22, 2017. It was established by the cooperation of a group called the Rainforest Partnership. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, this international non-profit organization is dedicated to protecting and regenerating rainforest through community projects in the Amazon region. The Rainforest partnership organisation work with the people who n the tropical rainforest area and begin projects to assist local communities to restore and regenerate healthy tropical forests.

This world rainforest day focuses on making our role to save our rainforests to save our nature. Also, it helps to make people aware of the importance of rainforests and their effects on us. As we come together on this day, we can all take active and hopeful action to protect the rainforest and sustain its life, because it has sustained ours for many more years till now.

About Rainforest

A Rainforest refers to those mostly evergreen forests of the world where there is heavy rainfall throughout the year. The rainfall varies from at least 1850 mm to 2000 mm. The leaves of such forest trees are always green due to the rainfall throughout the year. About 40% to 75% of all species are found in these rainforests. As an example, - Brazilian Amazon-Brazil, Shinharaja forest Reserve- Srilanka, The Daintree- Australia, The Kanha national park- India.

Rainforests are Earth’s oldest living ecosystems, with some surviving in their present form for at least 70 million years. They are incredibly unique and sophisticated, home to more than half of the world’s plant and animal species—even though they cover just 6% of Earth’s surface. This makes rainforests astoundingly dense with flora and fauna; a 110-square-kilometre(4-square-mile) patch can contain as many as 1,500 flowering plants, 750 species of trees, 400 species of birds and 150 species of butterflies.

Rainforests are crucial for the survival of life on Earth. They say that 20% of the oxygen we breathe comes from the Amazon rainforest alone. Also the freshwater we drink.  The Amazon consume our carbon dioxide and cement climate structures. Also, it is home to half of the plants and animals of the world. Rainforest has a rich and diverse biodiversity that is very important for our planet.

Most rainforests are structured in four layers: emergent, canopy, understory, and forest floor. Each layer has unique characteristics based on differing levels of water, sunlight, and air circulation. While each layer is distinct, they exist in an interdependent system: processes and species in one layer influence those in another.

There are two types of Rainforest. One is Tropical Rainforest and another one is temperate rainforest.

 Why We Need Rainforests

Rainforest offers many products that we use every day. Tropical woods such as teak, Barcelona, mahogany, and mahogany are used for floors, doors, windows, shipbuilding, and cabinets. It is used in the manufacture of textiles such as raffia, bamboo, vat, rattan, furniture, baskets and insulating ropes. Cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg and ginger are some of the spices of the rainforest. The ecosystem supports fruits such as bananas, papaya, mango, cocoa and coffee beans. Orgrim also gave us a lot of medicine. According to the National Cancer Institute, 70% of plants that can be used for cancer treatment can only be found in tropical rain forests. Rainforest plants are also used to produce muscle relaxants, steroids and pesticides. They are used to treat asthma, arthritis, malaria, heart disease and pneumonia. Since less than 1% of tropical forest species are used for medical analysis, the importance of tropical forest species to public health is even more compelling. Even jungle mushrooms can contribute to the well-being of humanity. For example, fungi found in the rainforests of Ecuador can consume polyurethane, a tough, durable plastic used for everything from garden hoses to carpets and shoes. Because mould consumes plastic even in an anaerobic environment, many environmental activists and companies are investing in research on how mould can help reduce waste in municipal landfills.

Threats to Rainforests

However, unsustainable industrial and agricultural development has severely damaged the health of the world's rainforests. Citizens, governments, intergovernmental organizations, and conservation groups are working together to protect these valuable but fragile ecosystems. Rainforests are disappearing at an alarming rate, mainly due to human development in recent centuries. Once it covered 14% of the earth's land, now the rainforest only occupies 6%. Since 1947, the total area of rainforest may have been reduced by more than half, to approximately 6.2 to 7.8 million square kilometres (3 million square miles). Many biologists predict that the rainforest will lose 5% to 10% of species every ten years. Rampant deforestation may lead to the complete disappearance of many important tropical rainforest habitats in the next 100 years.

 What We Can Do To Celebrate

There are hundreds of activities, from within the local community to virtual activities, school education programs, charity projects, and hundreds of small actions that we can take on our own every day to protect the rainforest. Whether you go to the rainforest alone or with friends, family or colleagues, you will be part of a community around the world.

Rainforest Day celebrates this precious natural resource and encourages action to protect it. Your efforts and the actions of others will have a positive impact on tropical rainforests and climates around the world. Simple ways to help save the rainforest: Learn about the latest threats to tropical rainforests, such as industrial deforestation, man-made climate change, and loss of protected forest areas.

This is a great opportunity to reduce the burden on the branches of the rainforest and find help to protect local wildlife and people's homes. Find optimistic prospects for protecting the planet by sharing how to save rainforests on your social media and blogs.

We can get involved by donating or raising awareness of charities like the Rainforest Partnership, or by participating in virtual events and networks. We can even organize a rainforest publicity day yourself by hosting an event that highlights public welfare or contributes to the rainforest protection charitable cause. If one don't like organizing events, why not participate in sponsored runs, climbs, hikes, or even fundraising hikes?

 We can also search for registered tree planting charities, where you can sponsor tree planting activities to give back to the rainforest. If we want to involve the kids, why not take advantage of the activity packs on the website of the day and distribute them to your friends and family for a fun-filled day of activities. 

 Volunteer service or donate to groups dedicated to protecting forests Be careful when buying products: avoid buying unregulated products such as palm oil, viscose or rayon, cocoa and meat products. Look for brands that are friendly to forests! Start a meaningful conversation about tropical rain forests with friends and family through social media and events.

If you are looking for an opportunity to change your lifestyle, then this day is also an opportunity to make ecological decisions to help save the future of our tropical rainforest. For example, deforestation caused by agriculture is a large part of the shrinkage of tropical rainforests. Why not reduce food waste by ensuring that you only buy and use what you need. Buying goods from ethical companies that contribute to the environment is also a reliable way to ensure their protection. Helping local wildlife is also a great way to maintain global biodiversity and even help some migratory birds return home. Plant insect-attracting flowers in your garden or balcony and share a little love with our feather friends as they fly back to the tropical climate. This day is a great opportunity to take many small steps or hold large events to express our gratitude.

About the Author: Ms. Farjana Yeasmin Nishita is a Youth Advocate, Research Student, Climate activist and an Eco Club Bangladesh Member (The Earth Needs Love)