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Rainforests are a very precious resource for all of us - not just for the tropical nations in which they are found. Rainforests help provide the whole planet with fresh water, oxygen and a stable climate. They are also home to millions of people, animals and plants.

However, tropical rainforests are being destroyed at the rate of 6 million hectares per year - that’s an area the size of a football pitch every four seconds. Why? Mainly to meet the demands of the developed world for food and minerals.

That alone is cause for concern. But to make matters worse, the burning of these rainforests releases a huge amount of carbon, which is stored in the trees. So the act of deforestation also dramatically increases the effects of climate change.

To find out more about the rainforests and what’s happening to them, click here.

The Prince’s Rainforests Project (PRP) has been set up by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to try to help stop the destruction of rainforests around the world.

Click here to learn more about us.
Click here for specific resources (media centre, speeches, videos etc).

Ideas to tackle the problem of rainforest destruction are also being discussed by the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). However, these ideas may take 10-15 years to make a real difference.

By then it might be too late - we need to take action today! So, the PRP is working on a plan to raise emergency funds to help protect rainforests now. This funding will help rainforest nations to continue to develop, but without the need for widespread deforestation.

Our proposal aims to produce sizeable funding quickly. This money will come from a combination of government organisations and businesses operating in developed countries.

Read more about our Emergency Package proposals.

The PRP wants to help introduce important changes on an international scale, and this can only be done through global partnerships. That’s why we are working closely with governments, companies, non-profit organisations and local communities around the world.

Find out more about what our partners are doing to lend their support.