(66)There is nothing new about people cutting down trees. In ancient times, Greece, Italy,and Great Britain were covered with forests. Over the centuries those forests were gradually cutback, until now almost nothing is left.
Today, trees are being cut down more rapidly. A major cause of present destruction is theworldwide demand for wood. (67) In industrial countries, people are using more and more woodfor paper, furniture and houses.There is not enough wood in these countries, therefore they havebegun taking wood from the forest of Asia, Africa and other countries.
Wood is also in great demand in developing countries. (68) In many area, people depend onwood to cook their food. As the population grows, the need for wood grows. But when too manytreesare cut down, forests are destroyed. In reality, there is usually no chance to grow back. In thisway, many millions of acresof forestsare destroyed every year.
(69)The destruction of forests affects first the people who usedto live there. It also hasothereffects far way. For example, trees help to absorb heavy rains. When the trees are cut down, therain pours all at onceinto the river.
(70)But finally, the loss of forests may have an effect on the climate of our planet. Togetherwith increasing pollution, it could causetemperature to rise, and the climate will change aroundthe world. No one would know exactly what effects the world have on our life. For many peoplethe effects would probably be destructive.
66、 There is nothing new about people cutting down trees.
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