RP’s mission almost looks like the last line of a mathematical proof. What’s the biggest, single environmental problem facing the world today? Climate change. What’s the biggest, single cause of climate change? Deforestation. What’s the biggest, single class of endangered forests? Tropical rainforests. Why are rainforests being cut down? A lot of reasons, but mostly because the people who live in the forests need the cash and have no other means to get it. So what’s the single best way to avoid deforestation? Help the people who live there develop another source of income that relies on the forest itself: sustainably harvested products and services. Make the trees more valuable standing than they would be if cut down.
And, just like Euclid’s geometry or Newton’s mechanics, it actually works. Rainforest Partnership’s free market model has protected 200,000 acres of South American rainforest and preserved 31 million trees. It has also provided a steady, sustainable livelihood to nearly 15,000 people, many of whom can afford health care and schools for their kids for the first time in their lives.
What’s the best, single investment you can make to improve the earth’s environment? Donate to Rainforest Partnership, where your donation will help solve the biggest part of our world’s biggest problem, in the smartest possible way.
I've been a supporter and follower of RP since it's inception more than 7 years ago. What a phenomenal organization! Starting from literally nothing, the Rainforest Partnership ED fleshed out her revolutionary idea for empowering rainforest communities to preserve their critical environment, culture and values; performed a tremendous amount of on-the-ground research to understand the community challenges and determine how best to achieve success; organized a strategic leadership team with a mission; assembled a growing team of volunteers and supporters; identified the key issues and networked at global forums; and made it happen. The process includes many creative avenues for supporting, engaging, and communicating so that all kinds of gifts and talents and interests can contribute to the mission. RP is living proof that big things CAN happen from the ground up.
Rainforest Partnership gives me muscle. With every cent (and every minute) I donate to this incredible organization, I know that the people of the rainforests will be able to save their cherished world. You see, I am just one person. I can't reach across the world and empower indigenous people to take back the land that has been their home since time began. I can't make sure the governments of countries that envelope our rainforests know of the sensible ways to keep them safe from destruction. But I can donate to the Rainforest Partnership and accomplish these herculean tasks. It's amazing that my small donations enable me to be part of something so very strong.
I must say as of this date I am impressed with what they have accomplished. In the trying economic time that we are in, the ability to fund and complete the projects they have is quite impressive. They are a youthful organization, not in just in age of personal, but in history of accomplishment. They have performed quite admirably. I would recommend that they, if they do not now, create communication and links with other such related organizations. Should they find similar, which I believe they will, then a collaborative effort could be established. In doing so, they may open the funding opportunities and also expand the attendant Global influence. This would seem to be an opening of the avenue of Foundation support. Sustainability through cooperation is the lasting element of the desire. I wish them success and will continue to support.
