1 in 4 people depend directly on forests for their livelihoods.
As many as 120 prescription drugs worldwide derive directly from plants found in forests.
Deforestation accounts for 11 percent of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.
The world has lost nearly half its forests for agriculture, development or resource extraction. Yet the value of the benefits that standing forests provide is immense: Tropical forests alone account for at least 30 percent of the global mitigation action needed to halt climate change. Yet this value remains largely invisible.
Conservation International strives to protect tropical forests around the world, working directly with the communities who live in, and depend on, these forests. Through science, policy and partnerships, we work to show that forests are worth more standing than cut down.
Conservation International uses a science-based approach to prioritize the most important forests and the benefits they provide; to quantify the value of those benefits for decision-makers; to protect them sustainably for the long term; and to monitor their ongoing protection and health.
Conservation International teams with local partners, communities and experts to identify and map the world’s “natural capital” — the ecosystems that provide the most benefits to humanity. The world’s forests are key stores of this natural capital, as they regulate climate, harbor biodiversity and regulate water flows.
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Knowing the economic value of the benefits that forests provide can make forests’ contribution to livelihoods and economies visible, enabling smarter decisions. Conservation International has developed innovative ways to quantify the value of forests so that countries and companies can measure their impact — and reliance — on forests.
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Conservation International employs an array of tools and approaches to create long-term protections for forest ecosystems and the benefits they provide, including livelihoods and community well-being.
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Around the world, Conservation International monitors forests to both ensure their health and to ensure the long-term success of our work. Monitoring serves as an early-warning system for destructive trends and helps us target conservation efforts.
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Right now, around the world, the work of protecting nature and the climate is happening in the field — and achieving small triumphs that don’t make the news. Here are three recent conservation success stories you should know about.
Despite dire headlines, tropical forests are still among our best allies to fight climate change, an expert explains.
Conservation International's finance expert extolls the importance of forest carbon credits to tackle the climate crisis.
In an occasional series, we review shows, podcasts and more that bring nature to life for you.
New research will help tropical countries protect and restore their lands — while averting climate disaster.
In a recent article, Conservation International's restoration expert extolled the effectiveness of an innovative scientific technique to help forests grow: leaving them alone.
Stay up to date on our work protecting the most critical forest around the globe.
