"Say it with Trees"

Leading actress and Cool Earth supporter, Emma Thompson is showing her affections for husband Greg Wise by protecting a tropical tree in his name.

"Say it with Trees is a great idea. I'm giving Greg an Andean tree to swing from. Support Cool Earth everyone, before we have to change the name to Hot Earth," says Emma Thompson.

The mature trees which can be sponsored through Cool Earth are some of the most endangered in the world. Located in the heart of the Peruvian rainforest, on the Rio Ene, they are less than a mile from where loggers' chainsaws and bulldozers are threatening a unique ecosystem. Sponsoring a tree as a token of affection for a loved one can stop this according to the charity.

If 5,000 couples exchange trees rather than flowers this year, Cool Earth says its community partners will be able to guarantee the safety of an irreplaceable piece of rainforest. As well as containing Peru's third largest waterfall, the Parijaro area of forest provides a home for jaguars, toucans and over 50 endemic species.

Cool Earth Director, Matthew Owen: "What better way to show your valentine they mean the world to you than by protecting it. After the disappointment of Copenhagen it's time for all of us to show we care for each other and the planet we live on, by keeping the rainforest standing."

Ardent admirers can sponsor a tree in the name of their loved one with a message which they can view via Google Maps. Plus they receive a certificate in the post or via email giving details of the trees they've sponsored.

Cool Earth works with local tribes to protect and monitor rainforest 24hrs around the clock and has completed a survey of the numbers of different species of tree which are at risk. This means sponsors can choose which species of tree they would like to protect, including Mahogany, Cocoa trees or even an acre. The charity also has a series of Valentine's gifts from rainforest necklaces to CO₂ saving "Tree Love" t shirts. These are all available from http://www.coolearth.org/.