Take Action: Save Rainforests and Stop Climate Change

Get Involved

Save Rainforests and Stop Climate Change

Global climate change is the most important environmental issue humanity has yet faced, and the window of opportunity for action is rapidly closing. In December 2009, the United Nations is meeting in Copenhagen to negotiate a climate deal that will succeed the Kyoto Protocol. This deal will include an agreement on REDD, or Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation. Deforestation is responsible for a whopping 20 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, the third and fourth largest greenhouse gas emitting countries, just behind the U.S. and China, are Indonesia and Brazil, due to the destruction of tropical rainforests.

One important driver of tropical forest loss is the rapid expansion of oil palm plantations, which produce oil that is used in food, cosmetics, cleaning and biofuels products. Palm oil is not a tropical problem; it is our problem too. Here in the U.S., palm oil is found in almost half of the items on grocery store shelves. A strong REDD agreement can help stop the dramatic expansion of oil palm plantations and therefore the destruction of tropical rainforests, but a weak REDD agreement could make things worse. Send a message today to President Obama and his lead climate negotiator Todd Stern to demand that they ensure the UN REDD deal protects rainforests from palm oil plantations.

For more information, visit the Rainforest Agribusiness Campaign.

Talking Points

Subject:

Dear President Obama,

(Edit Letter Below)

Now more than ever, U.S. leadership on climate change is essential. I call on you to push for a strong climate deal in Copenhagen this December, one that secures BOTH deep reductions in fossil fuel emissions AND an agreement on REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) that saves tropical rainforests and respects the rights of Indigenous peoples to free, prior and informed consent.

An effective REDD agreement will prioritize the protection of forests, not converting them to plantations, and will make sure that benefits from forest protection are distributed equitably. It must address consumption, in the U.S. and other wealthy countries, of products like palm oil that are fueling tropical deforestation. And it must result in greenhouse gas emissions reductions that are in addition to those needed to end our dependence on dirty fossil fuels.

This is an unparalleled opportunity to focus global efforts in ways that could save millions of acres of the world's dwindling rainforests and protect our climate at the same time.

The future of our planet is at stake. Now is the time to be bold!

Sincerely,
[Your name]

Take Action on this Issue

President Obama

President Barack Obama
cc: Assistant to US Special Envoy on Climate Change Ms. Laura Peterson
cc: US Special Envoy on Climate Change Mr. Todd Stern

Complete the following to send this message. If you have participated before, just type in your email address then submit the form.

First Name:*

Last Name:*

Email:*

Want to stay in the loop? Get the latest each week from Rainforest Action Network!

* Required Field