![](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PD94bWwgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4wIiBlbmNvZGluZz0iVVRGLTgiPz4KPHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHhtbG5zOnhsaW5rPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8xOTk5L3hsaW5rIiB3aWR0aD0iMTQ4Ny41cHQiIGhlaWdodD0iMTkyNXB0IiB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTQ4Ny41IDE5MjUiIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMiI+CjxnIGlkPSJzdXJmYWNlNSI+CjwvZz4KPC9zdmc+Cg==)
the atmosphere through photosynthesis, but more importantly
perhaps, they store vast amounts of carbon in their biomass
which is, in large part, the carbon released by the burning of
fossil fuels for cars, electricity and industry; and
WHEREAS, When forests are destroyed, often by fire, huge
amounts of CO2 are released, exacerbating the greenhouse effect
and global warming; and
WHEREAS, Rainforests play a key role in controlling flooding,
erosion and siltation in many parts of the world, as they absorb
huge amounts of rainfall and then slowly release it as a
constant supply of clean H2O; and
WHEREAS, Global weather patterns are impacted by the dark,
warm and humid rainforests due to the slowly released water
vapor that rises to the atmosphere and forms clouds, which
travel great distances and bring essential rain all over the
world; and
WHEREAS, Rainforests are also responsible for maintaining the
hydrological cycle and rainfall patterns, and one tree can
release as much as 75 gallons of water per day; and
WHEREAS, According to the Rainforest Foundation US,
rainforest acreage equal to the size of a football field is
destroyed every second; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 32 million acres of rainforest are
lost each year around the globe; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania join with the Rainforest Foundation
US in recognizing the month of May 2016 as "Rainforest Awareness
Month" in Pennsylvania and urge all Commonwealth residents to
make small, everyday choices which can have a far-reaching
positive impact on rainforest protection by choosing products
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