Tha Associated Press reported today that almost one in five trees in Europe shows clear signs of damage from pollution, losing at least a quarter of their foliage. The report was generated by the European Union and the UN. The AP also reported today that a ten year study of weather satellite photos and other satellite imagery has revealed that "only six percent of the world's 13 million square miles of forrest are protected against logging and other development." About 94% of the world's forests have no government or other forms of protection. The UN's mosty recent figures reveal a global deforestation rate of 1.3% per year. While this number may seem low, this means that in 2-3 generations, their could be no more unprotected forests left. Dominick DellaSala, forest conservation director for the WWF, suggests that we should at the very least seek to permanantly protect 10% of the world's remaining forest lands. The ten-year study was conducted by the WWF and the World Conservation Monitoring Center in Britain. "Ignorance provides no protection from the consequences of our actions." Bret Diamond Oregon, USA
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