save the rainforest.

I'll be the first to admit I don't know much about deforestation of the Amazon rainforests... other than it being a very serious issue and one of it's main causes is to create land for grazing cattle and other animals. Ugh. Anywho, I came across these photos on thedailygreen.com, and holy cow! (no pun intended). The difference in deforestation in 8 years is alarming, and apparently a few shoe companies are doing away with cattle products coming from the region - Nike and Timberland will now require its suppliers to certify that leather is not coming from the Amazon. Below is a list of companies that are still using leather and beef coming from the Amazon... maybe think twice about where you purchase beef or items containing leather (if you intend to buy them at all!)

Deforestation of Amazon - 2000

Deforestation of Amazon - 2008

U.S. brands that continue to source leather and beef from ranches in the Amazon (put down those designer handbags, ladies!):

• Adidas
• Boss
• Clarks
• Geox
• Gucci
• Hilfiger
• IKEA
• Kraft
• Louis Vuitton
• Prada
• Wal-Mart
• Reebok