News and success stories
Stay in the loop with news of ongoing campaigns and successes in the fight against rainforest destruction.
EU-Mercosur free trade: fueling the (forest) fire
A free trade agreement between the EU and the South American Mercosur alliance is a threat to humans, nature and the climate. But it’s not too late to stop it.
Recent successes
Current petitions
Indigenous people behind bars, smooth sailing for palm oil industry
In Kinipan, Borneo, the police arrested six indigenous men, including their traditional leader Effendi Buhing, for protesting against land grabbing and deforestation.
Covid lockdown not stopping Matek’s conservation work
While the world focuses on Covid-19, nature is being left wide open to exploitation. Activists like Matek Geram are going the extra mile to protect the rainforests.
Coal road to slash through Sumatra’s protected Hutan Harapan forest
Indonesia has authorized a road through the protected Hutan Harapan forest. Transporting coal apparently takes priority over protecting nature and the climate.
Cameroon suspends logging plans in Ebo Forest!
Cameroon has put its decision to open Ebo Forest for logging on ice – local communities and wildlife can breathe easier – Rainforest Rescue’s petition remains active
Global Witness issues alarming report on human rights defenders killed in 2019
Human rights NGO Global Witness recorded the highest number of land and environmental activists murdered in a single year
Situation of western chimpanzees deteriorating dramatically
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, western chimpanzees are on a trajectory toward extinction unless drastic measures are taken immediately.
Rest in peace, Rainforest Rescue founder Reinhard Behrend
Reinhard Behrend passed away on Friday, June 5, 2020. The driving force behind Rainforest Rescue, he dedicated his life to the preservation of nature.
Global solidarity with communities, indigenous peoples and workers at risk from mining pandemic profiteers
A new analysis supported by over 300 organizations condemns the four main ways in which multinational mining companies are profiting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Papua's forests face an unparalleled assault
More than a quarter million hectares of forest are being clear-cut in Papua for the largest oil palm plantation in the world.
Chinese government recommends bear bile as coronavirus treatment
China’s government recommends injections of a traditional Chinese “medicine” containing bear bile as a treatment for COVID-19.
Protest kills tar sands mine!
A massive tar sands mine project in Canada has been abandoned.The project became unfeasible because of resistance against it and the debate about climate protection.
Chinese hydropower: extinction for the Tapanuli orangutan?
Indonesia’s Tapanuli orangutan was only “discovered” two years ago, but a Chinese hydroelectric dam project could drive the apes to extinction.
Protests save UNESCO World Heritage forest
Staunch resistance by indigenous communities in Malaysia saved Mulu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from destruction by a palm oil company.
“Days of Fire” ravage Amazonia
Fires are ravaging the Amazon rainforest as never before. President Bolsonaro has been emboldening Brazil’s corporate arsonists.
Malaysian federal government will look into land reclamation controversy
We have succeeded in raising the issue of land reclamation and sand mining to the Malaysian national level, thus improving our chances of lobbying for a desirable outcome.
Promote our current petition on your website with the Rainforest Rescue widget
If you manage your own web presence, you can support us in our mission to protect the world’s rainforests by adding our new widget to your site.
Hippo “cull” in Zambia canceled!
2,000 hippos in Zambia are safe! Local and international pressure prompted the Zambian government to call off the planned “cull”.
Indonesian police protects oil palms with guns drawn
Indonesian police is “protecting” oil palms with weapons drawn, taking brutal action against locals who want to preserve Batu Gadur forest.
Malaysia: slashing Sarawak’s forests for palm oil
Cutting down timber worth $10 million without a permit? It's not an unusual occurrence in the Malaysian state of Sarawak.
UN: extinction crisis endangers us all
The current mass extinction threatens the future of humanity. Unless we take drastic action, one million species could soon vanish.
Palm oil and timber industry driving increased rainforest destruction
The destruction of tropical forests remained at alarming levels in 2018. The development was particularly dramatic in previously untouched rainforests.
Nigeria: paying for a forest “superhighway” for the next 180 years?
€740,000 a month – for the next 180 years? That’s the princely compensation for the company slated to build Nigeria’s “superhighway” to nowhere.
Sabah chief minister renounces deforestation for highways
The chief minister of the Malaysian state of Sabah has called for the preservation of forests by expanding existing roads for the Pan Borneo Highway.
Baby steps toward banning palm oil biofuel in the EU
The EU is the world’s second largest importer of palm oil – and more than half of the tropical oil is added to diesel fuel.
Finally, a cocoa plan – time to act!
We’re a big step closer to chocolate without a guilty conscience – Germany finally wants to act against child labor and deforestation in the cocoa industry.
A sanctuary for orphaned chimpanzees
Orphaned and formerly captive chimpanzees deserve a good life. In Liberia, a small private organization is dedicated to caring for more than 40 such primates.
Human rights award for anti-cement activists
The 2018 Yap Thiam Hien Human Rights Award honors Indonesian activists who are fighting to save their homeland from the cement, sand and palm oil industries.