Spain’s head of state Juan Carlos in front of his prey, a shot elephant

Dec 5, 2012

Botswana intends to protect elephants

The government of Botswana has announced plans to ban the commercial hunting of elephants and other endangered wildlife. In the past, well-heeled tourists were allowed to shoot lions, elephants and buffalo and take them home as trophies. Hunting as a sport is no longer compatible with the objective to protecting country’s wildlife, noted Botswana’s Minister of the Environment.

Truck loaded with timber in the rainforest

Nov 21, 2012

Australia outlaws import and sale of illegally logged timber

Australia has sent a clear signal against illegal logging by passing the Illegal Logging Prohibition Bill. With this, Australia is joining the U.S. and EU taking rigorous steps against the trade of timber logged illegally overseas.

Nov 14, 2012

Peru: Water Tribunal Calls for Stop to Conga Mining Project

The Latin American Water Tribunal (TLA) in Buenos Aires has called on the Peruvian government to firmly put an end to the Conga mining project. In the opinion of the tribunal, the Peruvian government and Yanacocha, the company responsible for Conga, are violating the human rights to water and a clean environment.

logos of institutions that have signed the letter

Nov 13, 2012

Open Letter to Financial Institutions on Pulp Investment

Rainforest Rescue joined sixty environmental and social organizations, including a dozen Indonesian groups, in sending an open letter to financial institutions across the globe asking for assurance that they will not invest in pulp and paper industry projects associated with deforestation and human right abuses in Indonesia.

Handover of the signatures to UNESCO

Nov 6, 2012

Selous: Handover of 58,000 signatures to UNESCO

At the UNESCO office in Paris, Silvain Harmat of the organization Rainforest Rescue has delivered the petition against the alterations of the borders of the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania. Afterwards, possible risks in the precedent, a potential abolition of the decision and further fields of action were discussed.

Oct 22, 2012

Brazil: President Again Vetoes Forest Code

International protests against Brazil’s forest code have had an impact: For the second time within six months, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff vetoed an amendment of the controversial legislation. The agribusiness lobby has been pressing Brazilian legislators to soften up the law and make more land available for industrial agriculture. Millions of hectares of rainforest are at stake.

Man with oil spilled soil in his hands

Oct 11, 2012

U. S.: Court confirms record judgment against Chevron

The U. S. Supreme Court rejected an injunction against a judgment punishing Chevron for massive oil pollution of Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest. A court in Ecuador had issued a ruling condemning the American oil company to pay damages to the amount of $19 billion. Chevron attempted to block enforcement of this judgment – but ultimately failed.

Sep 18, 2012

Sustainable Biomass: A Modern Myth - New Biofuelwatch Report

Biofuelwatch has released a new report, ‘Sustainable Biomass: A Modern Myth’. It explores the certification companies certifying biomass as sustainable, the UK government’s proposed sustainability criteria for biomass, and developer’s ‘promises’ to source sustainable biomass.

Rainforest Rescue hands over signatures to Altmaier

Sep 13, 2012

Biofuel subsidies: the EU hits the brakes

The European Union wants to limit the use of so-called biofuels, Reuters reports. This piece of news may mark the beginning of the end of a long struggle: For years we have demanded that the EU stop the production of biofuels, which harms both people and the environment. Now, it seems that a first step has been taken.

Chief Raoni with his feathered headdress and war paint gives an Interview

Aug 24, 2012

Brazil: Belo Monte construction stop

“This is a great victory, the Belo Monte dam is not a done deal. We are very happy and content.”, says Antonia Melo from the union “Rio Xingu Vivo”. A judge suspended construction of the Belo Monte dam citing evidence that the dam was violating the human and minority rights of the indigenous people living near the Xingu river.

Aug 21, 2012

Bioenergy has no future

A serious setback for the climate and energy politics of the German government and the EU. In their current statement a working group of more than 20 expert scientists from the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina have come to the conclusion that “in quantitative terms, bioenergy plays a minor role in the transition to renewable, sustainable energy sources in Germany at the present time and probably in the future.”.

Illegally logged wood near the Masoala National Park in Madagascar.

Aug 15, 2012

Malagasy wood for guitars: Gibson fined

Partial success in the Gibson scandal: Gibson Guitars have agreed to pay a fine of $300,000 as well as another $50,000 to environmental organisations. The ebony which had been seized by government authorities will remain confiscated.

A group of activists and villagers standing together on a clearing

Aug 1, 2012

Sulawesi: Village wins against mining company

The people of Betaua defended their forest courageously – now, the district chief withdrew his permission for mining iron ore. Also they won in court: A planned habour will not be built. Our partner organisation JATAM supported the community with all they could – also with your donation.

Jul 28, 2012

Even more severe critique against Cargill

23,000 hectares of rainforest in a conservation area for orangutans were destroyed – for a palm oil plantation. The concession is held by a palm oil company which also delivers to Cargill. The corporation keeps referring to their apparently sustainable supply chain. Cargill however won´t be able to dismiss the EIA report too swiftly.

Kichwa girl with flowers in her hand in Sarayaku

Jul 26, 2012

Ecuador: Justice for Sarayaku

Good news from the Kichwa of the Sarayaku region in Ecuador: After ten years they have won their legal dispute against the government. Their right to self-determination has been confirmed. Rainforest Rescue supported the Kichwa with protest actions and donations.

Protesters holding banners in front of the peruvian Embassy

Jul 24, 2012

Peru: Demonstration in Berlin and resignation of government

Within only eight months parts of the Peruvian government resigned for the second time. The reason is once again the ongoing protests against the gold mine in Cajamarca, a region in northern Peru. Just last Friday we handed over 33.000 signatures against the conga project.

Jul 4, 2012

Honduras: Farmers win back their land

After a long and costly conflict, two regional courts in Trujillo and Tocoa have now decided that the plantations of the notorious Dinant company have been wrongly built on pieces of land owned by the local farmers of Bajo Aguán. The judges have ordered to vacate the plantations, so the land can be returned to the farmers.

Chief Raoni with his feathered headdress and war paint gives an Interview

Jul 1, 2012

Brazil: Protests against Belo Monte Dam declared illegal

Police forces of the Brazilian state of Pará have arrested eleven people who had participated in a protest action against the Belo Monte Dam. In advance of the environmental conference Rio+20, the activists had planned to hold a multi-day rally near Altamira in order to raise awareness of the environmental damage caused by the construction of the dam. The arrests came suddenly, and the prosecution is based on threadbare grounds.

Island in the colombian sea

Jun 21, 2012

Carribean archipelago spared from oil drilling

White coral reefs or black mineral oil? In the midst of the azure blue ocean surrounding the islands San Andrés, Providencia und Santa Catalina, mineral oil companies were planning to exploit the natural ressources of the archipelago. However, a court now decided in favour of preserving natural beauty

Jun 19, 2012

Biofuel: Shell backs out of indigenous territory

Ethanol fuel produced from sugar cane can make life sweeter – but only for those who sell it. The Guarani Indians in contrast had to endure tremendous suffering. Shell is now finally drawing conclusions and has promised not to source from indigenous territory anymore.

Zebra mum and baby on the Serengeti plains

Jun 8, 2012

Two years fighting for the Great Serengeti

Serengeti Watch is building a strong coalition of support, advocacy, and funding for the Serengeti ecosystem, for the people living around it, as well as adjacent reserves and protected areas. Rainforest Rescue is glad to be part of this movement and we will do everything we can to defend the Serengeti.

May 31, 2012

Rights of Embera upheld against mining companies

The communities of the indigenous tribe Embera in Colombia rejected a mining project and their wish was confirmed by the constitutional court. Rio Tinto, Sunward and MMC are not allowed to develop the mine on their territory. The presence of mining companies here had led to the militarisation of the area and to human rights abuses.  

A orangutan youngster sitting in a tree

May 25, 2012

Tripa: Orangutan forest is spared of palm oil plantation

Thanks to international pressure on the Indonesian government, the concession of the palm oil company PT Kallista Alam has been revoked. The area has once again been declared part of an official nature reserve. Rainforest Rescue collected 45,239 signatures and presented them to Indonesian authorities. But the struggle for the orangutans in Tripa continues

Blue frog with spots on a leaf

May 24, 2012

Statement on the Barro Blanco dam project in the rainforest of Panama

The response of the German Investment and Development Company (DEG) to our “Dam action alert: Please help the Ngobe protect their rainforest” campaign was disappointing. The reply relies on superficial data that does not reflect the realities of the Tabasará region. We will continue to call on the DEG to stop the financing of the dam immediately.

Two men standing infront of a clearance for palm oil palntation

May 10, 2012

Tripa: Ministries of Environment and Forestry start investigations

Finally, field investigations into the crimes of the palm oil industry on Sumatra have begun. After months of inaction allowing the destruction of the Tripa Peat Swamps, at least some officials seem to have finally woken up. However, it's action, not words that is needed now to save the Tripa Peat Swamps and the Sumatran orangutans.

The fertile Huasco valley: a river flowing through green landscape

May 4, 2012

Mega-mining project stopped in Chile

David beat Goliath – and in Chile the indigenous peasant's community Diaguita Los Huascoaltinos has successfully prevented the contamination of their soils and waters by mining corporation Goldcorp. The Supreme Court's decision to stop mining plans strengthens the minority and environmental rights in Chile.

The Amazon river

Apr 26, 2012

Brazil: Controversial forest law endangers Amazon

The Brazilian parliament adopted a controversial amendment to the Forest law. This decision is a disastrous signal for global environmental protection only two months before the United Nations Rio+20 environmental conference in Rio de Janeiro. At this stage, only President Dilma Rousseff can stop the “logger law” with her veto.

A orangutan youngster sitting in a tree

Apr 18, 2012

Ray of hope for orangutans – official investigations start in Tripa

It is a case of deliberate and systematic violation of indonesian law: the land clearance through forest fires set by oil palm corporation PT Kallista Alam infringes the billion-dollar-deal with Norway as well as national laws, inflicting damage on one of the last orangutan refuges. Now Indonesia's Environment Ministry is pushing investigations leading to what might become a breakthrough for forest conservation.

a orangutan baby

Apr 4, 2012

Aceh judges refuse to rule over Tripa Case

In the case of the deforestation of the protected Tripa peat swamps, the indonesian court announced on Tuesday, 3rd of April, that it was unable to rule as the parties involved should have attempted mediation first. The conservationists who brought the case to court fear for the fate of the orangutans and have announced to appeal to the High Court.

A sealion with a target on it´s chest

Mar 20, 2012

100,000 signatures for the sea lions in Chile

The S.O.S. Sea Lions Chile campaign yesterday presented 100,000 signatures from Chilean citizens and people the world over to the Chilean government. Rainforest Rescue supported the initiative with over 40,000 signatures collected in our “Sea lions in Chile: Dying for the sake of salmon sandwiches?” protest campaign.

Horde of Antilopes in a lake

Mar 20, 2012

Tanzania loses battle over Serengeti road

Tanzania’s appeal to block a case against the construction of a “super highway” across the Serengeti National Park was dismissed on Thursday 15 March by the East African Court of Justice.

An employee of Rainforest Rescue hands over signatures to a board member of the Malaysian Palm Oil Council

Mar 7, 2012

Handover of signatures against the orangutan killings

At a lobbyist event of the Malaysian palm oil industry that took place in Berlin on March 1st, 2012, we handed over nearly 36.500 signatures of people protesting against the killing of orangutans on palm oil plantations.

Two Sokoke Scops Owls sitting on a branch

Feb 28, 2012

Kenya: The Dakatcha Forest is rescued

"Thank you for your support in the campaign. Nature Kenya is so glad to see that all our combined efforts have born fruits.", wrote Serah of the Kenyan environmental organisation Nature Kenya.

Rainforest Rescue employees talking to Al-Hassan K. Kondeh

Jan 30, 2012

Handover of signatures in the Embassy of Sierra Leone

On January 26th, 2012, we handed over the collected signatures to diplomats of Sierra Leone.

Handover of signatures to FAO director-general José Graziano da Silva

Jan 25, 2012

Handover of protest signatures to the FAO

On January 21st, 2012, the protest signatures we collected during the campaign „Plantations are no forests“ were handed over to the director-general of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. The press conference held during the International Green Week Berlin offered a great opportunity to talk to José Graziano da Silva.

Protesters walking with a Rainforest Rescue banner

Jan 24, 2012

Demonstration: "We are fed up"

With a delegation of our own we protested along with 23.000 other people against the despicable agribusiness.

Indian activist Madhumita Dutta

Jan 21, 2012

Handover of signatures to Michelin in Clermont-Ferrand in France

A delegation of the French NGO ’Association Henri-Pézerat’ and CGT unionists handed over 35,000 signatures to the management board of Michelin in Clermont-Ferrand. More than 28,000 of these signatures were collected by Rainforest Rescue. In the request to Michelin we demand the immediate building freeze of a Michelin plant in Thervoy Kandigai (in Tamul Nadu, India).

Protesters walk with banners against oil companies

Jan 20, 2012

Violence in Indonesia – but Unilever is indifferent to victims of palm oil business

On December 14, 2011, Unilever in Hamburg made a pledge to an indigenous Sumatran family: Unilever would ensure that its palm oil supplier, Wilmar, would rebuild the homes it destroyed and compensate the victims within 30 days. The company has not kept its promise. On the contrary – the families are still being bullied. In an open letter in cooperation with Watch Indonesia! and Robin Wood, we are now calling on Unilever CEO Paul Polman to stop buying palm oil from Wilmar.

Jan 19, 2012

Stop subsidising deforestation and land-grabbing for biomass and bioliquid electricity

Open letter to the UK and Scottish Governments relating to the Renewables Obligation Banding Consultation

A drawing of a bird in a tree

Jan 4, 2012

Life in the forests – illustrated by a 13 year old girl

A love of walking in forests in her home country of the Philippines inspired the winning entry of 13-year-old Trisha Co Reyes in the 2011 International Children’s Painting Competition on the Environment – watch Trisha’s painting come to life.

Jan 4, 2012

Illegal Logging and Trade of Madagascar's Precious Woods

This Video shows  the illegal logging crisis that hit Madagascar's national parks since early 2009, and how the illegal wood is turned into luxury furniture and other goods in China, Europe and the US.

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