Dilma: save the Amazon, veto the new Forest Code

One of our planets largest remaining rainforests is under threat from changes to the laws that govern forest protection in Brazil. The new Forest Code being proposed severely weakens protections for the Amazon rainforest and opens up vast areas to destruction, which would contribute to accelerating climate change.

But there is still time. Soon the only thing standing between the Amazon rainforest and destruction is Brazilian President Dilma, she can protect the Amazon by vetoing this new Forest Code. Send her a message now and let her know we all have a stake in protecting this amazing ecosystem.

Update: The final voting on the new Forest Code has been postponed. This means there is more time for President Dilma to hear the worldwide demand to protect the Amazon!

What impacts will the new Forest Code have on the Amazon rainforest?

• A University of Brasilia study estimates a 50% increase in deforestation in the Amazon up to 2020.
• We could lose 22 million hectares of rainforest to deforestation, that's an area nearly the size of the UK or the size of the state of Minnesota.
• The illegal deforestation of 29 million hectares of rainforest would be forgiven.
• 10 billion Brazilian reais ($6 billion US) worth of fines for illegal deforestation would be forgiven.