The specific environmental issue/problem I will be talking about is deforestation in the Amazon. This has caused a serious environmental problem and a subsequent decline in well-being. The Amazon rainforest is known to be one of the largest rainforests on Earth and also one of the largest natural resources. Many people call the Amazon the “lungs of our planet” because of the vegetation. Because there is so much vegetation in the rainforest, it will continually absorb carbon dioxide and turn it into oxygen. After researching Amazon deforestation I came across some statistics and information that really shocked me. Rhett Butler stated that “60-70% of deforestation in the Amazon comes from cattle ranching, with the rest coming mostly from small-scale subsistence farming. Despite widespread press attention, large-scale agriculture (e.g. soy) currently contributes relatively little to total deforestation in the Amazon. Most soy cultivation occurs outside of the rainforest, in the nearby cerrado grassland ecosystem and in areas that have already been deforested. Logging causes forest degradation but rarely direct deforestation. However, studies have shown a close correlation between deforestation and future clearing for settlements and agriculture.” After reading this I was shocked, but there is also some good news I found. The problem I am writing about is occurring in the Amazon rainforest which is not only found in Brazil but also in Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia and the three Guyanas. The problem with deforestation is that it is affecting our economic health. As Rhett Butler stated previously, deforestation in the Amazon is primarily due to cattle ranching. The other major contributor is...... half of the document ......nia." Encyclopedia of the Earth. Np, March 30, 2007. Web. March 31, 2011. "Amazon Project: Threats - Deforestation. " MIT. Np, nd Web. March 31, 2011..Shorter, CM “Amazon Rainforest: The Largest Forest in the World.” Tigerhomes.org Live animal webcams, white tiger webcams, lemur and lion webcams. Np, nd Web. 31 Mar. 2011. Wallace, Scott. "Amazon rainforest, deforestation, forest conservation - National Geographic Facts about the environment, science of the environment, global warming, natural disasters, ecosystems, ecological life - National Geographic Web. 2011..