Science Caf : Rain Forests - Going, Going, Gone? January 18, 2011

Location: Off-Site - Tir Na Nog, 218 South Blount Street, Raleigh, 919.833.7795. 6:30 8:30 pm with discussions beginning at 7 pm followed by Q&A. Every child grows up with a sense of awe about tropical forests -- extraordinary creatures including poison dart frogs, sloths, orchids and jaguars representing a veritable treasure-trove of biodiversity. But scientists estimate that more than half of Africa's rain forests are gone, with at least 40 percent losses in Asia and Latin America and 95 percent in Madagascar. Even with new technologies, measuring tropical deforestation is not easy, and illegal logging is epidemic in many parts of the world. What is the prognosis for the future of tropical rain forests? And how will human beings fare if these vital ecosystems disappear? What essential services do tropical forests provide for the planet, and how can we conserve them for our children?