Cool Earth Copenhagen Campaign
Cool Earth has launched one of the world's largest rainforest protection campaigns, urging people around the world to take a stand against climate change and halt a staggering three million tonnes of CO2 emissions by 14th February.
Cool Earth's Tree for a £ campaign calls on individuals, groups, associations and businesses to take direct action and save an endangered rainforest tree in the countdown to the United Nations' Climate Change Conference being held in Copenhagen.
Cool Earth director, Matthew Owen with Javier Bustamante and Dilwyn Jones
Protecting just one rainforest tree with Cool Earth can halt up to a staggering 30 tonnes of CO2 emissions which means individuals, really can make a real difference.
In order to launch the initiative, Cool Earth worked with over 100 forest engineers over the last year to accurately map the 12 most valuable hardwood species of trees in one of the richest bio-diversity hotspots in the Rio Ené valley in the Amazon rainforest. These trees are at imminent risk of destruction right now - with some less than three kilometres away from destruction by logging gangs and bulldozers. Sponsorship money raised will not only protect a tree but will also provide 24/7 forest patrols by specially trained Cool Earth rangers and fund full legal support to halt the destruction.
As part of the campaign, Cool Earth needs 100,000 people to protect a rainforest tree in the Peruvian Amazon to halt three million tonnes of CO2 emissions (this is the equivalent emissions created as a result of 2,542,373 return flights between London and New York).
Matthew Owen, Cool Earth Director, says: "Not everyone can get out to Copenhagen and make their views heard and we know people want to take action. If we, as individuals, can halt three million tonnes of CO2 in just three weeks, we can show world leaders at Copenhagen what a huge difference can be made by investing in avoided deforestation projects."
The simple act of sponsoring just one tree - be it the mighty Mahogany or the powerful Peruvian Pine - stops its imminent destruction and ensures that the tree is left standing. It will also rescue 1,200 species that rely on it to survive and stop 30 tonnes of CO2 emissions being released into the atmosphere. PROTECT A TREE
