| FOOD
Everything
we eat comes directly or indirectly from plants. About 12,000
different types of plants have been used as food by people.
Today, about 20 species provide the world with 90% of its
food needs!
|
|
WATER
We
rely on plants to regulate the water cycle. |
|
OXYGEN
Plants
produce oxygen as a waste product of photosynthesis (the way
they make their food from sunlight) |
CONSTRUCTION
We
build our houses out of wood and bamboo and decorate them
with plant products like wall paper, paper lampshades, curtains,
woven mats and furniture. |
CLOTHES
Most
of our clothing is made from cotton. This is produced from
the fluffy fibres which protect and help disperse the seeds
of the cotton plant. Other plant species produce linen, viscose
and hemp. |
FOOD
FOR ANIMALS
All
animals, including humans, rely on plants directly (because
they eat plants) or indirectly (because they eat other animals
that eat plants). Plants are known as producers – they
can make food using carbon dioxide gas, water and sunlight.
|
REMOVE
TOXINS
Plants
can find foothold on areas of land we have polluted and made
toxic and can remove toxins from the soil. |
MEDICINES
A
quarter of all prescription drugs come directly from or are
derivatives of plants, including the worlds most commonly
taken drug, aspirin. Many more drugs may be out there but
we will never find them if we don’t conserve plant diversity. |
CLIMATE
Plants
regulate the carbon cycle, which has impacts on global warming.
|
