They are best known for providing clean oxygen to humans. The second role of trees, which has been overlooked by more of our society, is the fact that plants are also responsible for recycling some of the carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, “a leading green group, 32 million acres of tropical rainforest were cut down each year between 2000 and 2009 – and the rate of deforestation is only increasing” (Roddy Scheer/ Doug Moss). That's a staggering number. trees felled each year. The reason for deforestation is mainly consumerism. When people like something, they start asking for more of it, hence the concept of supply and demand. Another research study from Duke University states that “development constraints lead to deforestation when an emerging consumer society increases demand for resources” (Molly Grace, Biology 217). In other words, as demand for products made from trees increases, millions of people's trees are being cut down for those