Read each statement below and determine what the main message of the statement is. Match which category the statement fits into and select the answer.

The tropical rainforests of the Amazon face the threat of deforestation. Deforestation is the cutting down of trees and forests to allow a different land use.

• Farming – What do humans do? What types of farming?

• Data (numbers, statistics etc.) that prove the negative impact of farming.

• The negative impact = How farming changes, the environment.  

Farmers slash-and-burn large parcels of rainforest every year to create grazing and crop lands.

• Farming – What do humans do? What types of farming?

• Data (numbers, statistics etc.) that prove the negative impact of farming.

• The negative impact = How farming changes, the environment.  

Around 15% of the Amazon rainforest has been replaced and around 80% of the deforested areas have been covered by farming pastures (approximately 900 000 km2).

• Farming – What do humans do? What types of farming?

• Data (numbers, statistics etc.) that prove the negative impact of farming.

• The negative impact = How farming changes, the environment.  

The trees and plants of the Amazon Basin absorb carbon dioxide during the process of photosynthesis. If there are fewer trees and plants, due to deforestation, from farming, then less carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere. In this way deforestation contributes to global warming and therefore climate change.

• Farming – What do humans do? What types of farming?

• Data (numbers, statistics etc.) that prove the negative impact of farming.

• The negative impact = How farming changes, the environment.  

Deforestation is responsible for more global carbon emissions than all the planes, trains, buses and cars in the world put together!

• Farming – What do humans do? What types of farming?

• Data (numbers, statistics etc.) that prove the negative impact of farming.

• The negative impact = How farming changes, the environment.  

Farming is responsible for the loss of tropical rainforests as many farmers are clearing land to grow cash crops, such as soya beans.

• Farming – What do humans do? What types of farming?

• Data (numbers, statistics etc.) that prove the negative impact of farming.

• The negative impact = How farming changes, the environment.  

. New research suggests the changes to the Amazon rainforest caused by human activity may mean the Amazon now emits (releases) more greenhouse gases than it absorbs.

• Farming – What do humans do? What types of farming?

• Data (numbers, statistics etc.) that prove the negative impact of farming.

• The negative impact = How farming changes, the environment.  

Soy production in Brazil is contributing to deforestation of the Amazon rainforest through forest clearing for new soy farms.

• Farming – What do humans do? What types of farming?

• Data (numbers, statistics etc.) that prove the negative impact of farming.

• The negative impact = How farming changes, the environment.  

Modified global climate: The forests’ ability to absorb the pollutant carbon dioxide (CO2) is reduced. At the same time, there is an increased presence of CO2 released from the burning trees.

• Farming – What do humans do? What types of farming?

• Data (numbers, statistics etc.) that prove the negative impact of farming.

• The negative impact = How farming changes, the environment.  

Since the 1960s, around 15% of the Amazon Rainforest has been removed through agricultural (farming) practices.

• Farming – What do humans do? What types of farming?

• Data (numbers, statistics etc.) that prove the negative impact of farming.

• The negative impact = How farming changes, the environment.