Rainforest Relief Information

Rainforest Relief is focused on the demand side of the rainforest-destruction equation. There are two front lines in the battle to spare the rainforests: one is between the farmer or logger and the trees, the other is between the consumer and the store shelf. Without the demand and consumers saying ‘yes’ with their purchases, loggers wouldn’t get paid for rosewood or ipê. Without the logging, there wouldn’t be any ebony on the market to excite the consumer/retailer. While many other groups work with local people in rainforest areas to find alternative ways of making a living, only a handful are willing to address the demand that indirectly drives the destruction. This is the role of Rainforest Relief. Since our founding we understood that the part of the problem that most needed addressing here in the US was and is the overconsumption of materials and products by people in industrialized nations. We work to highlight this overconsumption through direct education in schools and to civic groups, as well as direct communication (often direct action) with those who are either knowingly or unwittingly using products that are fueling destruction. It’s a never-ending job and a final success will only be achieved when more and more of us come to the understanding that we do not own Earth but instead are of Earth. Now that we know we can convert the entire planet to stuff for our entertainment and convenience, it’s time we accept responsibility and embrace our role as one of many species in the fabric of a fragile planet.