Next Summer we’re off to Ulan Ude. We thought we’d take the scenic route - Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia... We also thought we’d drive it in a dinky little micro van (presently unnamed) who is currently more rust than van.

It has dawned on us that this is quite a long way. With no major disasters it will probably take us around 6 weeks, which will quite possibly be the longest time that Matt and I have ever spent in each others company.

Despite the fact that we couldn’t think of anything that sounded more fun to do with our summer than spend it driving through the desert eating goats testicles and drinking yak milk,  it has presented a rather wonderful opportunity to do a spot of fundraising.

The reality of climate change is no longer up for debate. It is real and it is happening now. Our changing climate is the most pressing challenge facing our world today with forest loss playing a major part in this, contributing to more than 12% of all CO2 emissions. Keeping rainforest standing is the simplest and cheapest way to mitigate climate change, but despite this we are destroying the world’s rainforest at a faster rate than ever. 

Of the world’s remaining forests:

46% are fragmented

30% are degraded

and only 24% are intact

This loss is not just a crisis for the planet but a tragedy for local people who depend upon the forest for everything. 

People have lived in the forest for countless generations and depend upon it for everything - food, clothing, medicine, water - their entire identity. A further 1.6 billion depend on the rainforests for their livelihoods. This means one in ten people in the world rely upon the rainforest.

Rainforest people are not just victims of deforestation. They are the only thing that will keep rainforest safe. Local people have been conclusively proven to be the forest’s most effective custodian, which is why each of Cool Earth's projects starts with a rainforest village.

Cool Earth works alongside rainforest communities to halt deforestation and climate change, with a vision of a a world where tropical deforestation and degradation has no role in climate change. Cool Earth believes the only way to halt destruction is to align the future of the rainforest with the people best placed to protect it. This means placing forest in the hands of the people who rely on its survival for their survival. Cool Earth works where the threat is greatest, with projects on the frontline of deforestation and they only work with villages that approach them, with the villages deciding how funds are spent and driving the partnership. These projects grow village by village to form a shield – protecting millions of acres of neighbouring forest.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.