Individual Supporters

Sir Nicholas Stern, economist and author of the Stern Review: "Action to preserve the remaining areas of rainforest is needed urgently to give us breathing space in the fight against climate change. Cool Earth is supporting local communities to protect their forest livelihoods and is providing powerful examples for action on a big scale."

Bill Bryson, writer: "This is the only planet we are ever going to get, so don't you think we ought to look after it? That's why I joined Cool Earth."

Philip Pullman, writer: "Many of us feel helpless at the thought that our actions on their own will make such a tiny difference to the problem of climate change; by combining with others, we can ensure large amounts of carbon are locked up in a living forest instead of being set loose to wreck the climate that has produced such a rich tapestry of life. That's why I joined Cool Earth."

Ricky Gervais, comedian: "A piece of rainforest for £70. The beautiful thing about this idea is not just that it will save the world, but that it will allow ordinary people to say they helped. Join Cool Earth."

Dr John Hemming, former director of the Royal Geographical Society: "The world's rainforests are crucially important, as a carbon sink, as a source of rainfall and as home to millions of species. We need to help and reward those who preserve tropical rain forests, and that's why I support Cool Earth."

Professor James Lovelock, scientist and originator of Gaia theory: "This is the right approach to tackling global heating. We have to recognise that the Earth tries to sustain a habitable climate and work with it not against it as we have done for the last century. That's why I gladly endorse Cool Earth."

Nick Hornby, writer: "On your own, you can put your old Guardians in a recycling bin and worry about your children messing around with the hose. Gang up with others, and you can save huge chunks of rainforest. That's why I joined Cool Earth."

Mark Ellingham, founder Rough Guides: "As a travel guide publisher, I'm concerned about how much flights contribute to climate change. I want to see offsetting on a massive scale and protecting forest is the best possible way to do that. That's why I joined Cool Earth"

Dermot Blastland, Executive Director, First Choice Holidays PLC: "By protecting rainforest Cool Earth is addressing the world's largest cause of carbon emissions. Meanwhile society needs tofigure out how to wean itself off fossil fuels. These issues are of huge concern to First Choice and its customers. That's why we joined Cool Earth."

Marjorie Scardino, CEO Pearson: "For those who are really concerned but find carbon trading tough and the mathematics surrounding being "green" susceptible to hype and even downright fraud, this will be a godsend. That's why I joined Cool Earth."

Victoria Hislop, writer: "This is a simple initiative but it could make a significant difference to the future of our planet. That's why I joined Cool Earth."

Ian Hislop, Editor, Private Eye: "Cool Earth - a better idea than more hot air."

Ruby Wax, comedian & Ed Bye, TV Director: "We have always wanted to become friends with Sting and Trudie Styler and we reckon this might improve our chances. That's why we joined Cool Earth."

Adrian Cowell, BAFTA award-winning film producer/director: "I hope to be able to help make rubber tapper and Indian reserves more economically viable, and generally to assist in reducing the rate of deforestation. That is why I joined Cool Earth."

Maggie O'Farrell and William Sutcliffe, writers: "The idea that one can genuinely offset 25 years of carbon footprint for £70 is the only statistic we have heard on climate change that has ever induced any feeling other than helplessness and despair. That's why we joined Cool Earth."

Tracy Chevalier, writer: "I wanted to do something responsible and effective to help fight climate change and that's why I joined Cool Earth."

Chris Stewart, writer [author, Driving Over Lemons]: "When it comes down to it, the beauty of this planet and its mysterious and magical mechanisms are all we've got. It's time to be looking after it. That's why I joined Cool Earth."

John Williams, guitarist: "I support positive action which we can all take now for the environment and the very oxygen we breathe. That's why I joined Cool Earth"

Deborah Moggach, writer: "We owe it to our children and grandchildren not to succumb to inertia and despair. Action CAN be taken and every little bit helps. People are realizing this faster than governments. That's why I'm supporting Cool Earth."

Jim Butcher, Executive Director, Morgan Stanley: "Only by thinking creatively and acting responsibly can we meet the huge challenge that climate change poses. Cool Earth's model of working with local communities to enable them to recognise the value of rainforest conservation is an example of a creative approach that will build incomes and help prevent its destruction. Morgan Stanley has been proud to help in Cool Earth's development and wishes it well in its future."

John Fortune, comedian/satirist, Bremner, Bird & Fortune: "John Prescott can't save the earth all on his own and that's why I joined Cool Earth."

John Brown, magazine publisher: "Like most good ideas, this is simple and will be effective. That's why I'm supporting Cool Earth."

Esther Freud, author, and David Morrissey, actor: "So often it seems impossible to know what to do that will actually make a difference. This inspired idea gives us all a chance to help save the rainforest which is so often described as the lungs of the world. That's why we're joining Cool Earth."

Jo Brand, comedian: "What a brilliant opportunity to actually be able to do something about the rainforest, although I understand there is a slight drawback in that once I've bought some acres I won't be able to build a factory on them. Never mind, it's important to have an impact, however small. That's why I joined Cool Earth."