The mists of the Amazon travel across oceans to fall as rain on America’s plains. Its lush forests pump out a fifth of the world’s oxygen, and store hundreds of years of carbon. From a world away, we desperately rely on everything the Amazon provides.
But right now, a record-breaking number of fires are burning across the Amazon. The forests’ skies are black with smoke and ash. The people — and wildlife — who call the Amazon home are running for their lives, and suffering the devastating health effects of smoke inhalation.
Now, more than ever, we need to protect the tropical forests that safeguard us from the climate crisis. And right now, California has a chance to do just that.
Don’t let California let this opportunity slip away: Take action today, and tell the California Air Resources Board that the world is counting on them doing the right thing.
Here are the details: The California Air Resources Board is considering setting a much-needed standard for critical programs that protect rainforests, to produce rainforest credits — and enable carbon markets like California’s to invest in protecting these forests while they also reduce pollution from industry.
The money generated from the sale of these credits directly benefits the programs that are protecting forests, reducing emissions and creating sustainable livelihoods for indigenous and forest communities.
With the cutting and burning of the world’s forests contributing as much global warming pollution to the atmosphere as all the cars, trucks, and ships in the world, this is a chance we must seize in order to avoid a climate catastrophe — but the comment deadline is rapidly approaching and is only one week away.
This is a decision that will impact the entire world. Don’t let the California Air Resources Board make it before they hear from you.
Thank you for standing with us,
Heather Shelby
Action Network Manager
