We are all one

Mining Consequences In The Hills Of Córdoba

Forests are important because they produce atmospheric oxygen, conserve the soil, regulate the weather and are a refuge of lots of animal and vegetal species.

In Cordoba, Teck Cominco is exploring a big part of the hills in search of uranium deposits. This project involves a big risk not only ecologically, but also economically for the province.

The area has approximately 500 hectares where there are some river basins and it is near Los Condoritos, which is a protected area.

If this project developed, they would knock down full mountains and forests with explosives and water would be contaminated with products used for uranium extraction.

FUNAM(The Foundation for Environmental Defense), described as “unacceptable” the governments intention to install a state owned uranium mine in protected natural areas, mainly affecting the large reserves of forests in the province, and in turn, causing deforestation.

                                                                                   6602 Recta Martinolli street

                                                                                   Cordoba, Argentina 5009

       La Salle School

                                                                                   23 May, 2011

We are writing to you in order to make you aware of the problem that is taking place in our hills. As you read before the Canadian company, Teck Cominco, was allowed to explore a big area of the hills, producing deforestation in a big part of our forests.

We, LaSalle school students, made a deeper study of this topic, with the intention that you could help us stop not only this company, but also, others that want to do the same with our territory. For that reason, we need to collect as many signatures as possible, so that the government calls off the project. We also need your support to keep on insisting for the forest law to be modified, and to reach a balance between deforestation and resources obtention, without affecting any of them.

Anyone who would like to help with a signature, should contact us and send name, nationality and age to our email address:

lasalleingles2011@gmail.com. We will contact you immediately.

Thank you. Regards

LaSalle school students

What Do Adolescents Know About Deforestation?

Introduction:

  The aim of this report is to present what adolescents know about deforestation. We interviewed 232 students at La Salle school in person. The questions concerned the meaning of deforestation, causes, consequences, a place in Argentina that is affected by this problem and possible solutions.

What is Deforestation?

   People in general know that deforestation is related to cutting trees, but they don’t know the real meaning of this problem. Over thee-quarters gave us a basic, simple and correct definition. Only the 25% don’t know anything about deforestation.

Causes:

  The majority of respondents know the main reasons why deforestation occurs. Most people mentioned the use of trees to make paper, furniture, wood and the spaces for agriculture. Only 38 in 232 people do not know any cause.

Consequences:

  The floods, lack of oxygen, water shortages and loss of animal habitats are the most important consequences mentioned. Around 3 / 4 of respondents know which are the main consequences deforestation brings, the rest are totally unaware of them.

Possible Solutions:

  About 60% of respondents did not know a possible solution to this problem that affects us. Within the suggested possible solutions are the following: awareness, strict laws, fines, learning more about this problem, taking courses, etc.

Conclusion:

  One of the most surprising aspects of the report is that from 232 young people between 12 and 17 years only the 3 / 4 of respondents are conscious of the problems and consequences that deforestation brings.We were also surprised to find out that nobody knew a specific place in Argentina that may be affected by this problem. It’s time for everyone to start caring about the forests, our forests, our planet.

Natural Medicines of The Rainforest

Nowadays more and more plants from forests of the world are being used for medicine. Different species are taken from forests by scientists and investigators to create new drugs. These medicines are being used to cure a lot of illnesses, from leukemia in children to toothache.
American investigators discovered that 70 % of plants from forests have anticancer properties. For example, vincristine used for pediatric leukemia.
Everytime investigators discover a plant, they have to check if it is effective and secure before final approval.
That is why we must preserve and protect our forests to continue enjoying the benefits they give us. If we don’t, they are going to disappear.
Are you going to allow this to go on or are you going to take action?

Tourism In Forests

By means of tourism, it is possible to use forests without exploiting them. Forests attract more and more people interested in camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, mountain biking and similar activities.

 

Tourism is also practical in economic terms. Most of the benefits of tourism are often left to local communities. Tourism can be a very successful alternative, particularly where forest resources are exploited by logging companies.

People come to the forest all year round particularly attracted by the idea of ​​visiting tropical forests or rainforests. The creation of new parks and reserves is common because most tourists will be attracted to these areas.

However,there are factors that can destroy the environment such as the smoke of vehicles of tourists, some trees that are cut down to build huts or hotels and the fact that  people take souvenirs from nature careslessly.

So, the question is: do you think that tourism is  good  to be exploited in  forests considering the negative aspects?

Watch this video about EcoTourism and see the pros and cons of this activity.

JOIN  AND GIVE US YOUR OPINION!!

 

Plants and Animals in Forests

Forests and people are interconnected, and they have always been. We have had a special relationship based on survival. It was a delicate chain of life that we used to  treat with respect and appreciation. But people began to break this balance. They began to see the forest not as a part of them but as something to be conquered. They used the forests without limits, cutting down millions of trees. But now we are realizing that forests do have limits and it is time to return to the previous balance.
All living organisms depend on forests. 1500 invertebrates can be found living in them! Some of these species may be the key to deciphering scientific mysteries. Every plant and every animal is unique and many of these animals depend entirely on the forests.
One devastating example is the widespread fires in Cordoba hills and the environmental impact on people and animals.

The society and the government have the obligation to take care of our planet because it is our house, and one step to fulfill it is to take care of forests. Do you agree with our begs?

COMMITMENT!!

Poem

Why are Forests Important To Environment?

The majority of the leaving creatures depend on the forest, also, forests help to sloe global warning effects and help regulate local and regional rain fall. What about trees? Trees help by taking CO2 from the air, what is more they reduce the greenhouse effect. Apart of that, forests provide food, medicine, clean drinking water, etc for millions of people and animals. So, we have to be ware of the important influence of the forest in our life and we should make sure that disforestation doesn’t make occur. So, let’s take action!!!!  

Rainforest Data

• Rainforests grow in countries near the equator. They receive 2 metres - 10 metres of rain every year.
• There have been rainforests on Earth for over 75 million years. That makes them the oldes habitats on the planet.
• Nearly 60% of rainforest are in Central and South America. The rest are in West Africa, Zaire, South Eats Asia and the Pacific Islands.
• Half of all the species of butterflies, birds, flowers, trees and insects live in rainforests. Fifty species become extinct every year.