How long will it be before all tropical forests have been destroyed, if present rates of destruction continue?
If deforestation continues at present rates, all tropical forests will be cleared in about 170 years. These forests contain 155,000 of the 250,000 known plant species and innumerable insect and animal species. Half of all medicines prescribed worldwide are derived from plants found in tropical forests. In addition, the United States National Cancer Institute has identified more than two thousand tropical rain forest plants with the potential to fight cancer. Sources: Lean, Geoffrey, et al. WWF Atlas of the Environment, pp. 65-68; National Wildlife, vol. 30, no. 3 (April-May 1991), p. 16.
