One of the loudest arguments for logging is that it provides jobs to local people. This is quite true. This is, however, not the end of the story. In Central America, most deforestation occurs as a result of tobacco and sugar plantations; cattle ranching; and logging, especially for exotic woods such as mahogany. These things do provide jobs for the local economy. However, the jobs they provide are miserable and do not yield as much as they should from such a rich resource; in addition, they are currently proceeding at rates that cannot be sustained by the rainforest. Ironically, there are many alternatives to these destructive activities, alternatives that are much less harmful and often much more lucrative. An acre of rainforest land used to raise cattle will yield its owner $60 per year. One acre harvested for timber will yield $400. But left standing and harvested for natural, renewable products, one acre will provide its owner with $2,400.

Medicine Over 650 plants with economically useful medicinal effects have been identified in the Amazon alone, and according to the World Health Organization over two thirds of all mass produced drugs are derived from plants. Considering this and the fact that the vast majority of species in the tropical rainforest have yet to be discovered, much less researched for medicinal value, means that the rainforest is full of miracles waiting to happen. Unfortunately, every acre destroyed means less of a chance to find a cure for cancer.

Rubber Tapping Rubber tapping is a traditional and ecological alternative to logging in tropical rainforests. Latex extraction does not kill the rubber tree and tappers can get all of their rubber without harming the rainforest. In Brazil, about 63,000 tapper families live in extractive reserves making up about 1% of the Brazilian Amazon. The National Council of Rubber Tappers is hoping to one day have 10% set aside as reserves.

Alternative Rainforest Products The rainforest has been providing people with natural foods and products for thousands of years.When left standing, it can be harvested for all sorts of things, including fruits, seeds, flowers, fibers, nuts, and honey, many of which could potentially be marketed both nationally and internationally. A great example is Rainforest Crunch, a line of products made with Brazil nuts and other rainforest nuts and made popular by its use in Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

A partial list of foods we get from the rainforest: avocados coconuts figs oranges lemons grapefuit bananas guavas pinapples mangos tomatoes yams black pepper cayenne chocolate cinnamon cloves ginger sugar cane tumeric coffee vanilla Brazil nuts cashews There are hundreds more wonderful foods in the rainforest that are not even currently exported!