Cool Earth

A few weeks ago I met with Matthew Owen, director of Cool Earth, to catch up on their progress protecting the rainforest over the past months. I thought it would be interesting for you to see how they are getting on – and inspiring to share some Cool Earth milestones with you.

In Matthew’s own words:

• Our forest shields are growing faster than ever before with partnerships in the Amazon, Congo and PNG all adding new villages and more forest. At the start of the year 640,000 acres of community controlled forest were shielding over 5 million more acres from destruction. With 100,000 more acres in Peru, 40,000 in DRC and potentially 60,000 in PNG, 2016 promises to be our strongest year yet.
• All our partnerships are planned and controlled by local people. Having worked with some villages for five years we asked how the threats to rainforest have changed. In Peru, a baby boom means that forest is at risk from being cleared for food crops. In the Congo it is the need for fuelwood. In PNG, offers from palm oil barons mean boosting livelihoods is the priority. We are helping to address all of these threats this month with investments to boost crop yields, provide efficient stoves, install solar mini-grids and find markets for extra virgin coconut oil.
• Three years ago we started working alongside One Heart Worldwide to address the dreadful levels of infant mortality amongst rainforest communities in Peru. The impact has been huge with trained health workers now in every village aiming to mortality rates in half. One Heart Worldwide has now helped us put together a nutrition programme for expectant mothers and babies which we think will do even more to save young lives.
• The Adventurists defy definition. They are the antidote to travel agencies by helping people risk life and limb whilst driving to Mongolia in a mini, driving across frozen Lake Baikal on ancient bikes or other ill-advised adventures. For the past four years the Adventurists have been asking their brave customers to raise a little money for Cool Earth. This month they will have donated £600,000 to communities in Peru. Not bad for a mid-life crisis.