Our rainforests are being destroyed

Our rainforests are disappearing at an alarming rate: thousands of acres are burned every day. The world's remaining rainforests could be destroyed in less than 40 years. Think of all the animals, birds, insects and plants that are being lost forever.

When we drive a car, or travel in a plane, we produce carbon emmissions — rainforests absorb carbon emmissions. Without rainforests to absorb that carbon, it will stay in our skies longer and prevent heat from leaving the earth — we need rainforests to help reduce global warming.

A special rainforest in need of help: The Virunga National Park

The Virunga National park in the DR Congo is a special rainforest that needs our help. The park is home to 380 mountain gorillas, which is more than half the world's population.

Recently there has been an influx of refugees from neighbouring Rwanda which has led to massive deforestation and poaching. Almost one million refugees camping inside the Park is leading to widespread depletion of forests in the lowlands. More than 3,000 acres of prime gorilla habitat was destroyed in less than three weeks.

Virunga National Park is rich in gold, minerals and timber. The forest is being burned illegally by rebel forces who turn the trees into coal for cash. The gorillas have become a hindrance for the illegal charcoal trade and now they're killing them — they want the park unprotected. There are rangers who protect the park but they're outnumbered and underfunded. Many of the rangers receive no pay.