Statistically Speaking

This year?s International Festival has a spotlight on global ecology and the importance of protecting ecosystems across the globe. Here are a few statistics to keep in mind, but beware: They?re not pretty!

Metric tons of hazardous waste generated each year in the world: 350 million

Percentage of the world?s species that exist in the tropical rainforest: 50

Percentage of plants identified by the U.S. National Cancer Institute as cancer-fighting that come from the rainforest: 70

Number of hectares of tropical rainforest that have been destroyed in the past decade: 154 million

Percentage of nationally protected area in France: 13.3

Percentage of nationally protected area in the United States: 25.9