Inspiring Vision: Amazon Jungle

"Destroying rainforest for economic gain is like burning a Renaissance painting to cook a meal." – E. O. Wilson

I am fascinated by the Amazon! No, not the company, the rainforest! It has intrigued and enticed adventurers for centuries due to its expansiveness, and it still holds many mysteries waiting to be revealed. Here are just a few reasons why it is truly amazing:

• The Amazon rainforest produces more than 20% of the world's oxygen.
• 25% of all pharmaceuticals come from rainforest-based ingredients, yet less than 1% of the trees and medicinal plants in the Amazon have ever been tested by scientists.
• More than 80% of the world's food originates in the Amazon rainforest. It's home to 40,000 plant species, including 16,000 native tree types.
• An estimated 30% of the world's species live in the Amazon, with a new species being discovered on average every three days. It is home to 3,000 fish species, 2.5 million insect classifications, and a fifth of all known bird species.

It is safe to say that our planet would not be the same without the presence of this massive forest. The more awareness and inspiration I get from exploring the world, the more I realize it is worth protecting. And much like any change, it starts with small steps. So what steps are you willing to take?