Chronicle

2012-20132013ENGLISHLetter addressed to Head of Environmental issues about the destruction of rainforestsDear Sir/Madam,I want to express my strong concerns at what is being done to the world’s rainforests. It seems to me thatrainforests are being used more than ever. Evidence shows that huge areas of rainforests are being destroyedevery day at an uncontrollable rate. We will suffer a lot by the destruction of rainforests, as wehave no idea how precious these incredible forests are. In order to prevent the loss of these forests at thecurrent rate, we need to act quickly, cleverly, so that a source of life on Earth will not be wiped out.Each second, about 1.5 acres are being destroyed. People, with their everyday activities don’t respect theenvironment and don’t think of the consequences of their actions to the environment and their lives, too,which can be harsh when all the rainforests are cut down. Humans are the main cause of deforestation andtheir actions damage the rainforests at an alarming rate. If deforestation continues like this, the rainforestswill be wiped out in 40 years.The rainforests provide us with many resources which can be used for making our lives better. The mainreasons that rainforests are being used are for land for crops, for paper, timber and other wood and animalproducts and for land as livestock pastures. People also use the rainforests for medicine as the majority ofmedicines come from plants originating in rainforests (world’s biggest pharmacy), oil and metals which arefound in mines below the trees that can be used for diamonds, gold, copper and aluminium. Basically, rainforestsare destroyed to improve a country’s economy which can use the rainforest’s resources to help peopleand companies sell their products around the world.The disadvantages of cutting down forests are uncountable. Scientists have estimated that large numbersof species are being driven to extinction, possibly 50,000 a year, and millions of unique life forms that wehaven’t discovered yet remain undiscovered. By expanding urban cities we affect the way we and animalslive as the oxygen given from trees decreases and carbon dioxide is added to the atmosphere. The landthat’s cleared by farmers is only fertile for the first two years, but no more, so a huge, barren tract of landis left behind. In addition, the number of trees is lowered, so the lumber supplies are limited. In general,the main consequence of deforestation is that a precious, unknownworld cannot yet be discovered.The safety of the rainforests is in our hands and I would like to suggestsome solutions that can help the rainforests and their development. Wecan reduce the use of paper and other products and recycle them tosave the life of many trees. Money can be raised for organizations justlike yours to protect the rainforest. Children should be taught at schoolsand old people must be informed regularly about the rainforests andthey need to be encouraged in helping and respecting the environment.I look forward to hearing from you and your suggestion on how totackle this serious threat.Yours sincerely,Antonis Georgiou 2BSay No to Smoking!!!!I hate smoking almost as much as I hate you, dear smoker!Do you know why I hate you? Do you? I hate you because I respect you but, you do not respect me. Idon’t know what smokers do in other countries but I know what smokers do in my country.There are laws set by the government that state, “No smoking in public areas”. But you ignore it! Thereare people who do not like smoking and you don’t even bother going outside to smoke that disgustingthing you call a cigarette. This shows how disrespectful you are to us, especially us children!Sometimes when we are in the car, you start smoking and you don’t even open the window so that otherscan breathe some fresh air. You might not get my point because your head is full of smoke and you mightnot be able to think properly. I’ll say it with very simple words. Don’t smoke IN PUBLIC PLACES. Whenyou smoke, others smoke as well. I have the right to live a healthy life!Michalis Philippou 3D59