Google Earth Now Showing 3D Trees

If you've ever wanted to get up and close with the rainforest in Acre, Brazil, now you don't have to look into pricey (and carbon-intense) plane tickets – simply switch on Google Earth and type your way there. The search giant has recently revamped its Google Earth plugin – which is available for free on Mac, Windows and Linux – to include the option to view trees in 3D via its improved version of Street View.

The illustrious rainforest scenery in Acre, Brazil, is particularly special as it happens to be a section of the incredible Amazon rainforest, one of the most famous rainforests on the planet. Settled around the largest river in the world, the Amazon rainforest is home to countless different plants, trees, insects, mammals, birds and, of course, people. In fact, it's estimated that around thirty million people live in the Amazon rainforest.

Now anybody can zone in on the Amazon rainforest from anywhere in the world. Google's impressive programme allows you to tap in and drop a virtual pair of eyes onto any area and enjoy an up close and personal look at the surroundings. From there, you can take in an exotic array of tropical plant life and astoundingly verdant trees from the comfort of your own computer, whatever country you're from. Thanks to Google, it's now possible to visit the Amazon rainforest – albeit, from a distance – and see just how it looks from a standing person's point of view. You'll be able to see many trees in all of their 3D glory and, while you may not be able to head into the rainforest to explore, it certainly gives you a good idea of what you might expect should you ever end up visiting Acre in person.

The view of the Amazon rainforest is just another notch on Google's post of achievements, though the chance to catch a glimpse of this incredible place offers a more poignant perspective too: this is a rainforest where deforestation is ravaging the area apart. Because of deforestation the world may change. The threat of climate change is growing and will continue to do so until it is stopped. Hopefully, it will never be the case that one day the only way you can see the Amazon rainforest is via a computer programme – but this is precisely why steps must be taken to save the area while we still can.