Save Rainforests – 10 Things You Can Do To Protect The Tropical Forests

You want to save the rainforest and are looking for effective everyday tips? Then you've come to the right place! Tropical rainforests are CO2 and water reservoirs, suppliers of medicines and, last but not least, the most species-rich habitat for countless animal and plant species on our planet. Unfortunately, we humans are their greatest threat. The Deforestation of the forests for human purposes is the main reason for this.

So, bizarrely, we have to protect the rainforests from ourselves. Fortunately, there are many opportunities and ways to actively or passively support rainforest protection in everyday life.

In this article, I would like to introduce you to the most valuable tips you can use to save the rainforest. Let's go!

16 tips: How can I protect the rainforest in my everyday life?

The rainforest is the green lung of our planet and one of the largest CO2 reservoirs. Every square meter that is burned, cleared and harvested for human "needs" limits the rainforest's function. climate change, species extinction and rising sea levels are just some of the ecological consequences that we humans are causing through our greed.

Here I would like to show you the everyday things you can do to protect the rainforest and the Stop species extinction simply by following your heart.

1. stop the consumption of palm oil

Palm oil is now found in every second supermarket product. In cosmetics, cleaning products and above all in food! For corporations, it means big profits - for many small farmers, unfortunately, it means fear for their livelihood. The diverse rainforest must Palm oil plantations and thus contributes significantly to the species extinction to. These monotonous plantations have spread around the world to the size of New Zealand and are depriving orangutans, for example, of their habitat.

Tip: It is best to scan products briefly with the App CodeCheckto find out at a glance whether it contains substances of concern such as palm oil or Microplastics are included.

2. do not buy garden furniture made from tropical wood

Why does a wooden garden chair have to be from the tropical rainforest? Our domestic wood species (oak, robinia and larch) are also robust and do not require long transportation routes, illegal logging and the endangerment of particularly species-rich rainforests. When buying, also look at the FSC seal for sustainable forestry.

Tip: Look times in the Furniture DIY blog over. For example, you can also get a Build dining table yourself from old oak planks.

3. stop your meat consumption

Yes we have always eaten meat and also needed it to survive in early human history. But today we only chew it out of tradition, habit, convenience and taste. But it is no longer vital.

On the contrary: the regular consumption of meat is one of the main reasons for today's Diseases of civilization such as heart disease, high blood pressure and obesity. And the rainforest? The main reason for its deforestation is other Livestock pastures and the Cultivation of animal feed. Nearly three quarters of the world's soybean harvest ends up as crushed animal feed in industrial Factory farming.₁

So reduce a meat consumptiononly cook vegetarian food or start directly with a vegetarian diet. vegan trial month, in order to Variety of plant, animal and climate-friendly cuisine to appreciate.

Tip: If you find it difficult to give up meat, then take a look at the Dominion film on. If you have a heart for animals, it will motivate you no end.

4. do without barbecue charcoal from tropical wood

For a long time I didn't know myself that tropical wood is processed into barbecue charcoal. I became aware of this through a Investigation by Stiftung Warentest, which took a closer look at different brands of barbecue charcoal sold Germany.

The result: around 30 percent of the products contained tropical wood.₂ And another additional fact: around 85 percent of the barbecue charcoal consumed in Germany is imported.₃ This has literally set the rainforest on fire itself - just in your own garden.

So if you want to save the rainforest, it makes perfect sense to simply find a forest-friendly alternative. For example Barbecue charcoal from corn on the coba waste product of the corn industry. Personally, I now simply grill with a Electric grill and green electricity, so that in the long term no more forests have to be cut down for my barbecue enjoyment.

Tip: At vegan barbecue you'll get plenty of inspiration for protecting not only the rainforests but also the animals at your next barbecue.

5. print out only the essentials

A fairly decisive reason for the deforestation of trees is our high Paper consumption. Just be more aware of the resource wood and paper, use recycled paper and only print something when it really makes sense.

Save files digitally insteadThis saves paper and a lot of time searching for the right folder. There really are countless ways to Save paper.

Tip: Also under Paperless office you will find many more ideas and tips.

6. do not fill up with biofuel

Biofuel often contains plant-based raw materials, such as Sugar cane or Palm oilfor which rainforest is cleared. The price of a liter of fuel is therefore usually significantly more expensive than the price shown on the display at the petrol station. It is only paid for by the environment, animals and other people.

If you have the opportunity, you should therefore try, get along without a car and as often as possible, the public transportation or the bicycle to use.

Tip: I have written a detailed article about sustainable driving written. Feel free to check it out to make driving more eco-friendly if you absolutely can't manage without a car in your daily life.

7. learn to live vegan

Veganism is about, Put an end to the exploitation of animalsby completely abandoning the consumption and use of animal products such as meat, eggs, milk, fur or leather. As a result of the falling or lack of demand, we must then also no rainforest cut down for animal feed cultivation become. The positive, environmental, health and ethical impacts are key in the fight against almost all Environmental problems of our time.

I know, I know. Meat, milk, cheese, eggs... these are all things that you've basically eaten or bought all your life. And now you just want to stop? I also spent 30 years of my life consuming animal products. But then I found out why I should stop doing it - and went through with it.

Tip: In the article "Why vegan? The reasons for veganism" I explain what exactly motivated me to do this. I can also recommend the article about Veganism and human rights to your heart. There you can find out why people live vegan not only for the animals, but also for indigenous peoples in the rainforests, for example.

8. make your food shopping more sustainable

If you want to save the rainforest, you should get your Make purchasing more regional and especially with tropical products, such as coffee, cocoa or exotic fruits (e.g. avocados), to the Fairtrade- and Organic seal pay attention! Please also think about palm oil as an additive in many foods and cosmetics.

Not sure whether palm oil is in a product? Then it's best to use the App CodeCheck, in order to Scan barcode and find out in seconds whether it contains palm oil for which the rainforest is being cut down.

9. value the precious metals in smartphones & co

Where would we be today without smartphones? It helps to realize how good we actually have it - and how valuable the natural resources are actually in the device. Of course, we don't need a new cell phone every year!

Rare precious metals like Cobalt or Palladium are usually only found in the soil of tropical forests. If you want to protect the rainforest, you should therefore try to take good care of your smartphone and other technical devices so that you can use them for as long as possible - instead of chasing new trends.

10. reduce your oil consumption

It is not only biofuel that is destroying the rainforest. The untouched soils of the rainforests are usually rich in crude oil. In order to protect the deposits and thus also the forest, you should therefore consciously Save gasoline.

In the same way you should Reduce plastic consumption. Because Plastic consists of crude oil or petroleum. For example, avoid disposable products and opt for reusable alternatives in order to save the raw material petroleum and also your to save your own wallet.

Tip: At plastic free livingyou will learn about all kinds of other ways to reduce single-use plastic waste in your everyday life.

11. save aluminum

Rainforests are also being cleared to obtain coveted natural resources such as aluminum ore. Bauxite to achieve this. However, by making conscious purchasing decisions, we can reduce the use of Reduce aluminum.

Find alternatives or minimize your consumption of the productsthat often contain aluminum or are packaged using the raw material. For example, yoghurt lids, drinks cans, deodorants, tetra packs, coffee, chocolate bars, chewing gum - and last but not least, classic aluminum foil.

The consumption of aluminum products cannot always be avoided. Due to the Feeding into the recycling loop However, the valuable metal can then be reused as sensibly as possible, so that the rainforest soil is protected.

12. use Ecosia as search engine

You want to know something? Then simply use the sustainable search engine Ecosia. The quality of the search results is extremely high.

The difference to conventional search engines is that Ecosia 80 percent of the surplus revenue to charitable organizations which primarily counteracts deforestation. According to the company, it also plants a tree for every 45th search query.

13. reduce your personal CO2 emissions

Climate change is having a massive impact on all global ecosystems. So by reducing your personal carbon footprint, you are also helping to protect the rainforest.

Drink for example Tap water instead of the water from the plastic bottlewhose production and transportation release huge amounts of CO2. Also renounce the consumption of animal products. This is because around 15 percent of all greenhouse gases caused by humans worldwide are attributable to livestock farming alone.₄ Of course, also try to get on an airplane as little as possible and prefer to take a car instead. more sustainable travel behavior.

Tip: Have you ever thought about changing your Offset CO2 emissions. For example, you can offset the climate impact of your unavoidable flights and car journeys by donating to climate protection projects.

14. start and sign petitions

One really effective way of eliminating a rainforest-specific grievance is to use the Start an online petition.

You must have such digital Signature collections not even bring it into being yourself. Maybe you will find here at Adventure rainforest.com already have a petition that appeals to you. Of course, you can then not only sign it, but also share with friends or your followers.

If we want to save the rainforest, we have to give the Lobbying of the companies profiting from the clearing definitely work against it collectively. Petitions are a sensible, effective means in this respect.

15. support rainforest projects

If you want to protect the rainforest, the animals and plants that live there, as well as the indigenous peoples, then a financial donation to organizations that work every day to protect the rainforest will also help. Here are some examples:

• Amazon Watch
• Rainforest Action Network
• Rainforest Trust
• WWF
• …

With your donation, you are primarily working against species extinction. The projects are dedicated to protecting birds and gorillas, for example - and of course also to preventing land grabbing.

Tip: What if you could also dedicate yourself professionally to protecting the rainforests? Take a look at the sustainable job portal after. Maybe you will find a suitable job there!

16. share your attitude

Now you know how you can save the rainforest in your everyday life. And now that you know better, you can also act better and make a difference. Being a role model for other people.

Recognize and use suitable opportunities in everyday conversationsto show them how they themselves can contribute to protecting the rainforest. Drive positive change in our society towards a more sustainable lifestyle ahead. In this way, you not only make your own everyday life more "rainforest-friendly", but also the lives of other people.

Save the rainforest and protect our planet!

You can even save the rainforest by doing nothing. For example, by avoiding unnecessary car journeys and pointless printouts in the office. Avoiding meat and cow's milk is also super easy these days, as there are so many plant-based alternatives such as meat-like soy and pea patties or oat, almond and soy milk.

And if you want to do even more for the rainforest, then raise your voicesupport petitions and organizations that fight for the protection of tropical forests every day.

"It hardly takes half an hour to cut down a beautiful tree. It takes a century to grow until it is admired!"

Eugen Roth

I hope I have been able to give you some tips for protecting the rainforest. Do you have any questions or can you think of any other ideas? Then just write me a comment.

Stay sustainable,

PS: You count the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, for example, as one of the main Climate tipping points. In the linked article you can find out which other tipping points also accelerate climate change.

References:
₁ Albert Schweitzer Stiftung für unsere Mitwelt: Why soy sausage does not harm the rainforest (as of 01.06.2018). https://t1p.de/jzvz. [20.06.2023].

₂ Stiftung Warentest: Barbecue charcoal - Where is tropical wood in it, which is ecologically safe? (as of: 21.05.2019), available at https://www.test.de/Grillkohle-CSR-Test-5474364-0. [20.06.2023].

₃ BILD: The dirty business with barbecue charcoal (as at: 04.07.2018), available at https://www.bild.de/ratgeber/verbrauchertipps/grillen/traegt-zur-zerstoerung-von-urwaeldern-bei-56211078.bild.html. [20.06.2023].

₄ Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): livestock's long shadow environmental issues and options, available at https://t1p.de/2044. [20.06.2023].