Disappearing Trees
Social Action Plan
Now that you’ve learned about it, what can you do to help!
"You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone.
"iAmsterdam becomes iAmazonia" by GreenPeace International
Everyday Changes You Can Make
We can’t do anything unless we all do our part!
Reduce
your meat consumption
You may think, what does meat have to do with trees? Well, a lot! Approximately 60-70% of trees cut down is in order to make room for cattle ranching. If the world reduces their meat consumption, we will heavily influence the demand for what they do. If the people cutting down trees no longer have the demand to supply as much, they will cut down less trees. Eating beef that is grown outside of rainforest zones may be better logistically, but it is still increasing the demand for meat. Which only makes farmers want to produce more!
Read your labels
1. Avoid products with Palm Oil! This oil is a multi-functioning vegetable oil and is a natural preservative and is one of the leading causes of deforestation Some examples of popular food you may have with Palm Oil: Skippy’s Peanut Butter, Oreos, Ritz Crackers, Head and Shoulders Shampoo, Flora Buttery Spread, Learn more about the oil here
2. Look for the Rainforest Alliance seal! This cute green frog symbol denotes that certain forest and farm products sourced from rainforests are environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable!
Reduce your paper & wood consumption
Office paper, phone books, toilet paper, window trim and lawn furniture are some of the reasons that loggers cut down some of the most endangered forests in the world. Over 78% of Earth’s originally grown forests have already been logged or degraded. There’s lots of things you can do to adjust! Use both sides of the paper when you need to use it, take notes of your computer, urge your company or school to move towards paperless, keep recycling bins in classrooms, businesses, houses, buy a reusable straw to keep with you everywhere you go! Here’s a great one you can get right now!
Reduce
your oil consumption
a) The burning of oil, gas, and coal is one of the primary causes of climate change. If we stay on the path we are on, scientists predict global temperatures will rise between 2° and 9° Fahrenheit in the next century.
b) Oil projects lead to toxic pollution and widespread deforestation. Threatening both our ecosystems and the indigenous cultures that live in these places.
c) The next time you choose a car, pick something with a good gas mileage, and stay away from gas eating sports cars. Don’t fly unless it’s necessary. Keep your body healthy and ride a bike or walk to work! Carpool to school and take mass transportation. You can support funding for mass transportation and bike lanes to make life more sustainable!
Reduce your carbon footprint
The rainforest is incredibly skilled at storing carbon. But it is at severe risk to climate change. Cut back on transportation when you can, walk, bike, carpool, or use public transportation. Turn off light and appliances as soon as you don’t need them, use natural light when possible! Buy a laptop, not a desktop computer. Use LED lights! Be sustainable with the food you eat and waste less! You can learn about your carbon footprint and subscribe to a project of your choice that protects the climate and reduces the footprint here!
Spreading Awareness
Social Media
It’s important to use our platforms to share. You can head over to our NGO’s page and share their mission or a fact about deforestation on your Twitter or Instagram! Watch media projects and post the link on your page, or keep it in your Instagram bio. Share websites that are doing inspiring things and keep the discussion going! Or simple post stories on snapchat, Instagram, facebook of how you reduce your carbon footprint! Lead by example and make it cool to do good by the environment!
Lead an art inspired project
Make posters, do a poetry reading, or paint a school mural to raise awareness of the problems while uniting your community, in school or out!
Hold a fundraiser
Hold a fundraiser for one of our NGOs or a charity you love! Lemonade stands, organized concerts, a local 5K run, an ice cream social, talent show, cook off, bake sale, or a pet costume party!
Volunteer
Look through our NGO’s and see what makes you excited to get involved! Talk to friends about the issues and make it a group effort to do something good – you get more time with people you love and you get to create something that can bring change!
Plant trees
Talk to your principal or mayor about a piece of land that would be allowed to plant a tree on, invite the town and give speeches!
Things You Can Do Right Now
Keep informed
Keep yourself updated and educated on what our government is doing about these issues.
You can find your representative and reach out to them about things you are passionate about. As well as search through a range of issues to monitor the decisions and discussions happening.
Visit the website to keep updated and find your representative
Adopt an animal
You can adopt a sloth! Sloth’s are one of the endangered animals because of deforestation, and with your adoption you can help World Wildlife Fund cut down on industrialization and restore conditions that allow for sloths and other species to flourish and help rebuild a stronger, fresh air ecosystem.