Every minute, a rainforest the size of 40 football fields disappears — and our oceans are crying out for help too.
Every minute, a rainforest the size of 40 football fields disappears — and our oceans are crying out for help too.
Rainforests are often called the 'lungs of the Earth' because they produce about 20% of the world's oxygen. Found mainly near the equator in places like the Amazon in South America, the Congo Basin in Africa, and right here in Southeast Asia — including parts of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Borneo — these forests are home to more than half of all plant and animal species on the planet. Singapore itself once had rich tropical rainforests, and today the Central Catchment Nature Reserve and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve protect precious remnants of our original forest heritage.
Deforestation — the cutting down of forests — happens for many reasons, including farming, logging, and building new roads and cities. When trees are destroyed, the animals and plants that depend on them lose their homes forever. Many species, like the Malayan tiger, Borneo pygmy elephant, and Raffles' pitcher plant, are now endangered because their forest habitats are shrinking rapidly. Deforestation also makes climate change worse, because trees store carbon dioxide, and when they are burned or cut, that gas is released back into the atmosphere, warming our planet.
Our oceans face equally serious threats. Covering over 70% of the Earth's surface, the oceans regulate our climate, provide food for billions of people, and are home to incredible creatures from tiny plankton to massive blue whales. Singapore, as an island city-state, depends heavily on the sea for trade, food, and even our water supply through desalination. Yet oceans worldwide are suffering from plastic pollution, overfishing, and rising water temperatures that bleach and kill coral reefs. The coral reefs around Singapore's Sisters' Islands Marine Park are already under pressure from warming seas.
The good news is that every person can make a difference. You can help by reducing plastic use, choosing sustainably sourced seafood, supporting conservation organisations, and learning about the ecosystems around you. Schools across Singapore participate in programmes like the 'Schools for Nature' initiative and beach clean-ups that directly protect local habitats. Governments, companies, and communities around the world are also working together to plant trees, create marine protected areas, and reduce carbon emissions. Protecting rainforests and oceans is not just about saving animals — it is about securing a healthy future for every human being on Earth, including you.
