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Most of these
children begin their
work between the
ages of 12 and 16.
The youngest
recorded to date is
approximately 6 or
7 years old.
Environmental Impact
Due to high demand and economic pressure, farmers are driven to find
methods to increase the amounts of cocoa beans they produce.
Cocoa Beans thrive in humid areas 10 degrees above and below the
equator. They typically root under taller trees in both the Amazon
Rainforest and Western African Regions.
Due to increase demands, farmers in South America have clear-cut vast
regions of the Amazon Rainforest to supply area for the increase tree
production.
This increased deforestation hurts the biodiversity of the regions which is
considered to be one of the worlds richest (Amazon Rain Forest).
The Deforestation causes soil erosion which in turn depletes the soil of
the nutrients needed to grow the trees.
Cocoa Bean Trees have now been considered no longer a wild species but
a monoculture which disturbs the natural flow of the habitat because of
the increase use of just this plant alone.
The need for more has lead farmers to use harsh pesticides and
herbicides which harms the flora and fauna of the region and possibly
even humans.
These chemical harm the watershed of the Amazon which is the primary
health line for this area in South America.
Deforestation
Environmental Help?
Some researchers from both North and South
America suggest trying to introduce the tree
back into the environments natural course.
The reintroduction would help heal some of
the effects of deforestation and would
restore the rhythm of the cocoa bean growth.
The tree itself would also provide a root
system which would help prevent soil erosion
as well.
higher amount of
caffeine found in Dark
Chocolate. Those who
are sensitive should be
aware.
Kidney Stones: Dark
Chocolate contains
oxalates which can lead
to increase in urinary
oxalate excretion. This
raises the risk for
forming kidney stones
which are highly painful.