The Prince's Rainforest Project on this World Environment Day

It's difficult, sometimes, to wade through the many thousands of different campaigns and initiatives that, for all their success and good intent, clutter up the business of trying to get a real change in global environmental policy. This World Environment Day, however, I have been drawn to the Prince of Wales' Rainforest Project -- a new awareness campaign set up by Prince Charles with support from a number of famous faces.

Watch the campaign video:

So what makes this one different from every other "hear your voice" campaign out there? Well on the face of it, not much. But as any environmental campaigner will tell you, having a famous face on the front a leaflet or video is invaluable in getting a message out there. Al Gore is successful because he's Al Gore, and Richard Branson has some success in the area because of his notoriety, but having Prince Charles as the posterboy for a campaign is on the next level entirely.

It is this that explains the whole host of stars of film, music and politics who are waiting to jump on the band-wagon. And the urgent spread of the message that HRH and Co. are talking about is desperately needed.

15 million hectares of rainforest burned a year. The potential for an almost complete wipe-out of all of the Earth's rainforest within forty years. 17% of the yearly CO2 emissions.

These are the dire consequences of the deforestation policies of many South American, South-Asian and African nations. Pressure is what's needed. Pressure from the US more than anything, from Barack Obama. Real public criticism of these policies, and condemnation of the governments who are proponents of these strategies, is necessary for any real change in CO2 emissions for the next generation.

I'm not so optimistic that this will ever happen. I do, after all, live in the real world. However, having the support, indeed having an initiative founded by the Prince of Wales, is a great step towards starting something really special and effective. Especially considering that this Friday is World Environment Day.

Visit the Princes' Rainforest Project at: www.rainforestsos.org

You will of course have noticed the infamous frog in the campaign video above. On Friday, World Environment Day, you can create your own frog video at: www.rainforestsos.org/comingsoon

Follow Stefan Roberts on Twitter. His website is StefanRoberts.com.

Comments

[Magdalena]

I also think it's a great cause. I signed up as a supporter a while ago, and made my Frog video this morning.

A little while ago I received an email from HRH's Rainforest Project and it stated I was one of a few members. This is great and necessary cause and cost nothing to join. He just wants your support.

I hope more people join. Thanks for the article.