Building materials are commonly mentioned during discussions on overpopulation and its effects on the rainforests. With more people living on earth, more buildings are built, further depleting rainforest resources. Rainforest woods are highly valued home building materials. The Japanese use rainforest wood to create wooden frames that help cement building blocks retain their shape during the drying process. Once the project has been completed the wood is discarded. Rainforest woods are also used to create decorative pieces like picture frames and carvings.
Food is another aspect to consider regarding overpopulation and its effects on the rainforests. Farmers have been clearing more sections of the rainforest for animal grazing and crop cultivation. Many have illegally performed the deforestation process. Environmental laws state farmers must allow 80 percent of their land to remain forest. Considering potential profit, many farmers have not adhered to the law. Some manufacturers and food chains have stopped purchasing products known to be illegally grown in the rainforest.
Acid rain has remained a hot topic during discussions of overpopulation and its effects on the rainforests. Population and industry increases have helped in the formation of acid rain. The Environmental Protection Agency defines acid rain as a combination of wet and dry materials containing high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids. Humans create acid rain by burning fossil fuels like coal. Acid rain causes long-term damage to rainforest soil composition, harming native plant and animal life.
Tourists are another aspect of overpopulation and its effects on the rainforests. More people are living longer and seeing the world. Rainforests are inadvertently damaged when they are opened to tourism. In Australia, land clearing for roads and water pollution have started to damage the Cape Tribulation rainforest. Many tourists are not properly educated on respecting rainforest land and end up causing additional damage. In the past, tourists would take items from the rainforest as a souvenir. Modern laws prohibit such activity.