Dear John,
During the pandemic, governments around the world have shown a worrying trend to weaken the laws that protect forests.
At the start of lockdown, we found ourselves with a battle on our hands to stop the Indonesian Government from watering down its timber laws – a move which risked driving a boom in illegal logging.
This would have been catastrophic for the rainforest.
Indonesia has some of the oldest, most biodiverse areas of forest on the planet. They’re home to numerous endangered animals, including the critically endangered orangutan.
The new law could have destroyed precious wildlife habitats and threatened the livelihoods of indigenous people who live in these forests. Globally, the loss of forests also contributes to climate change, and can increase the likelihood of new diseases such as COVID-19 leaping from animals to humans.
We simply couldn’t let this happen. Working with our Indonesian partner, Kaoem Telapak, we presented a compelling case to the Indonesian Government.
Just days before the new law was due to come into force, the Indonesian Ministry of Trade shelved its plans.
Crisis averted – for now
Thankfully, the Indonesian Government decided to do the right thing. But the threat of deregulation still remains in many countries across the globe.
Could you make a gift of £20 to help us protect the world’s forests and endangered wildlife?
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Please help to save precious forests which are our last line of defence against climate change, the extinction of wildlife and to prevent the next pandemic.
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