Why rainforests matter

As the lungs of our planet, rainforests keep the air we breathe clean, cool and safe. It’s one of the most important and incredible habitats on earth.

But there's a big problem.

Watch the video on Harapan Rainforest in Sumatra

Watch the Harapan
Rainforest in Sumatra come
to life in our video….

Locking away billions of tonnes of carbon, trees help the battle against climate change

Changing our climate

Rainforests store carbon. Destroying them means all that carbon is released into the atmosphere, making climate change worse.

The Sumatran tiger

Critically endangered, around 300 of these beautiful creatures remain in the Indonesian rainforest. Commercial poaching, reduced prey (through hunting and poaching) and habitat loss are pushing them towards extinction.

The rhinoceros hornbill

Threatened with extinction, these large black and white-plumed birds measure almost a metre from tip to tail and move through the forest in flocks of up to 25. They nest in the holes of larger, older trees, which are often the first to be removed by loggers.

The clouded leopard

Clouded leopards are the best climbers in the cat family – they can climb upside down and hang from branches with their hind feet. But they are endangered because their forest habitat homes are being cleared.

The pygmy hippopotamus

The pygmy hippopotamus is only found in the forests of West Africa. Because they are secretive and only come out at night, little is known about them. There are 2,000-3,000 left in the world, and numbers are decreasing as forests are cut down.

The chimpanzee

Chimpanzees are the closest living relatives to modern humans and live in complex social groups. They eat fruit and leaves, but meat and insects also make up part of their diet. Chimpanzees are endangered by loss of habitat and poaching.

Wiping out
rare wildlife

Some of the most amazing and endangered wildlife on the planet lives in rainforests. If the rainforests disappear, so will the wildlife that lives there.

Rainforests are home to at least 70% of
the world's land-based plants and animals

Destroying communities

Some of the world’s poorest people depend on rainforests for their livelihoods. If rainforests are cut down, they will be unable to support themselves and their families.

One billion is the number of people who rely on the
rainforests

Preventing flooded homes

Rainforests help to regulate water flow following heavy rain – reducing the risk of floods, which are devastating to local communities.

Providing homes and shelter

Rainforests provide materials needed for local communities to build homes and shelters – the man in this picture has built his home from tree bark. Without these natural resources, communities are forced to find expensive alternatives.

Utilising natural resources

This lady is making a sleeping mat from a plant called bengkoang found in Sumatra. She is able to harvest and process the materials for free and sell any leftovers.

Find out more

Why rainforests matter