The world’s rainforests are disappearing fast. Rainforests contain some of the highest levels of biodiversity on the planet, they are home to some of the planet’s most specialised species, they contain many medicinal plants that are beneficial to humans and they are a major source of oxygen as well as locking up huge quantities of carbon which, if the forest was cut down, would potentially combine with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and contribute to global warming.

Whilst governments give lip sevice to protecting rainforests, they continue to be destroyed and rainforests are diminishing worldwide, particularly quickly in Southeast Asia.

Probably the most effective way to save the rainforest is to buy it. Conservationists from wealthy countries need to put their money where their mouth is and pay to protect the rainforest; as little as $100 can buy more than an acre of rainforest which is saved forever.

The World Land Trust is a conservation organisation that has assisted in the purchase and protection of over 300,000 acres of rainforest and other threatened wildlife habitats around the globe. You can help in their work; £50 saves an acre of rainforest.