The Scientists' Letter on the Copenhagen Commitment for Tropical

The Scientists’ Letter on the Copenhagen Commitment for Tropical Forests

A P R I L 2 0 1 0 The production of carbon dioxide from tropical forests that are cleared amounts to about a sixth of total global emissions. Much of the rich biodiversity in these forests is also destroyed by logging them, and local climate patterns are disturbed. A world partnership to provide the funds necessary to keep these forests standing would avoid all of these negative consequences, and should be pursued actively.

PETER H. RAVEN President, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis; Recipient, U.S. National Medal of Science; Recipient, Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement

Much of my scientific work has been carried out in tropical forests, the main reservoir of biodiversity, an essential resource pool for people living in the tropics and in temperate zones as well, and a key part of Earth’s climatic system. The vast areas over which they have already been destroyed are a frightening sight to any biologist, anyone aware of the likely consequences of climate disruption, indeed anyone who cares about the fate of their grandchildren.

PAUL R. EHRLICH President, Center for Conservation Biology, Stanford University, CA; Recipient, MacArthur Prize Fellowship; Member, National Academy of Sciences; Recipient, Crafoord Prize in Population Biology and the Conservation of Biological Diversity; Recipient, Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement

Tropical deforestation is a major contribution to greenhouse gas emissions— and the cheapest one to stop. In doing so, we will stop the major driver of species extinctions and retain the homes of millions who live in, and depend upon, these forests.

STUART PIMM Doris Duke Professor of Conservation Ecology, Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC; Recipient, Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement

The planet actually works as a biophysical system and it is imperative to start recognizing that by protecting and restoring tropical forests.

TOM LOVEJOY Biodiversity Chair, The Heinz Center, Washington, DC; University Professor, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA; Recipient, Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement The Scientists’ Letter on the Copenhagen Commitment for Tropical Forests A P R I L 2 0 1 0

Representative David Obey Chairman, U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations

Representative Nita Lowey Chairwoman, State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations

Senator Daniel K. Inouye Chairman, U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations

Senator Patrick Leahy Chairman, State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations

Dear Chairs Obey, Lowey, Inouye, and Leahy,

Last December in Copenhagen, the Secretary of Agriculture announced that the United States would contribute $1 billion for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest degradation in Developing countries (REDD+) over the next three years (2010–2012). This major commitment of short-term funding to preserve tropical forests is a big step toward re-establishing the United States as a leader in addressing climate change. As scientists with forest expertise, we ask that you fulfill the United States’ commitment made in Copenhagen to devote $1 billion to reducing tropical deforestation, with at least $400 million in the FY 2011 appropriations.

REDD+’s potential advantages are easily stated. Tropical forests contain half of all carbon stored in terrestrial vegetation, and clearing and degradation of tropical forests constitutes about 15% of all anthropogenic carbon emissions. REDD+ can greatly strengthen measures to reduce carbon emissions, protect biodiversity, and provide other human benefits.

Forests provide essential ecosystem services on which many poor people depend. Tropical forests contain the majority of the world’s rapidly vanishing indigenous cultures. REDD+ could also slow the loss of biodiversity—important in itself and in its central contribution to ecosystem services. Over half of all species live in tropical forests and are under threat from deforestation.

REDD+ is an inexpensive solution relative to alternatives such as industrial energy efficiency or solar or nuclear power and an immediate solution too—$20 billion could cut emissions by half a billion tons and do so by 2020. Some countries can provide even less expensive reductions.

The $1 billion will help jump-start programs to reduce tropical deforestation immediately, before U.S. climate and energy legislation or a comprehensive international climate treaty would go into effect and provide additional funds. This money will be used by developing countries to build their capacity to monitor and measure global warming pollution from deforestation and protect their forests. It is important that developing countries get this initial funding so that they have the technology and training necessary, as well as the incentive, to make bigger emissions reductions later and bring an end to global deforestation as soon as possible.

As agreed to in the Copenhagen Accord, the short-term funding for preserving tropical forests should be “new and additional” (http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2009/cop15/eng/l07.pdf, para. 8). Funding to fulfill the U.S. commitment cannot be taken from existing programs for conservation and biodiversity. We urge you to ensure that the FY 2011 budget include at least $400 million of new, additional funds for REDD+.

Sincerely,

Scientists from across the United States

The signers of this letter all have advanced degrees in the natural or social sciences and have forest-related expertise. Institutions are listed for identification purposes only.

cc: Ranking Members of Appropriations Committees and Subcommittees White House – Legislative Affairs Office The Signers of the Scientists’ Letter on the Copenhagen Commitment for Tropical Forests

ALASKA Lisa M. Curran, Ph.D.* Laurie Litman, M.S. Roger and Cynthia Lang Professor Sacramento, CA Paula Williams, Ph.D. Department of Anthropology and Anchorage, AK Woods Institute for the Environment Jason B. Mackenzie, Ph.D. Stanford University Visiting Scholar Stanford, CA Department of Zoology ARIZONA University of California, Berkeley Hugh Dingle, Ph.D. Berkeley, CA Peter Chesson, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus Professor Department of Entomology Robert John Meese, Ph.D. Department of Ecology and University of California, Davis Davis, CA Evolutionary Biology Davis, CA University of Arizona Anthony Metcalf, Ph.D. Tucson, AZ Paul R. Ehrlich, Ph.D.* Professor President Department of Biology Mark L. Daniels, M.S. Center for Conservation Biology California State University, Research Specialist Stanford University San Bernardino Ecological Restoration Institute Stanford, CA San Bernardino, CA Flagstaff, AZ Thomas D. English, Ph.D. Marc Meyer, Ph.D. J.D. Nichols, Ph.D. Professor Wawona, CA Flagstaff, AZ Physics & Engineering Department Palomar College Katharine Milton, Ph.D. San Marcos, CA Professor ARKANSAS Department of Environmental Stephen D. Manning, Ph.D. Paul Fine, Ph.D. Science, Policy & Management Beebe, AR Professor University of California, Berkeley Department of Integrative Biology Berkeley, CA University of California, Berkeley CALIFORNIA Berkeley, CA Stanley Scher, Ph.D. Berkeley, CA Jodi L. Bailey, Ph.D. John Harte, Ph.D. Berkeley, CA Professor Department of Environmental COLORADO Ted Cheeseman, M.S. Science, Policy & Management Director University of California, Berkeley David M. Armstrong, Ph.D. CarbonTree Conservation Fund Berkeley, CA Professor Emeritus Saratoga, CA Department of Ecology and Karen D. Holl, Ph.D. Evolutionary Biology Robert C. Clover, Ph.D. Professor University of Colorado at Boulder California Polytechnic State Department of Environmental Studies Loveland, CO University, San Luis Obispo University of California, Santa Cruz San Luis Obispo, CA Santa Cruz, CA Diana H. Wall, Ph.D. Professor Liza S. Comita, Ph.D. Ronald M. Lanner, Ph.D. School of Global Environmental Santa Barbara, CA Professor Emeritus Sustainability Institute of Forest Genetics Colorado State University Tara Cornelisse, M.S. Placerville, CA Fort Collins, CO Environmental Studies Department University of California, Santa Cruz William Z. Lidicker, Ph.D. A. Christy Wyckoff, M.S. San Francisco, CA Professor Emeritus Fort Collins, CO Department of Integrative Biology University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA

INSTITUTIONAL AFFILIATION LISTED FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES ONLY * INDICATES ORIGINAL AUTHOR AND/OR SIGNER OF THIS LETTER The Signers of the Scientists’ Letter on the Copenhagen Commitment for Tropical Forests The Signers of the Scientists’ Letter on the Copenhagen Commitment for Tropical Forests

CONNECTICUT DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Christie Klimas, M.S. School of Forest Resources & Conservation Robert S. Capers, Ph.D. Calen Christopher May-Tobin, M.S. University of Florida Storrs, CT Washington, DC Gainesville, FL

Robin Chazdon, Ph.D.* Dana M. Krempels, Ph.D. Full Professor FLORIDA Senior Lecturer Department of Ecology and Department of Biology Robert J. Buschbacher, Ph.D. Evolutionary Biology University of Miami Associate in Tropical Forestry University of Connecticut Coral Gables, FL Storrs, CT School of Forest Resources & Conservation Robert McClure McElderry, M.S. University of Florida Cheri F. Collins, M.S. Doctoral Fellow Gainesville, FL Storrs, CT Department of Biology University of Miami Jean-Gael Collomb, Ph.D. Robert K. Colwell, Ph.D. Coral Gables, FL Board of Trustees University of Florida Gainesville, FL Distinguished Professor Douglas J. Merrey, Ph.D. Department of Ecology and Tampa, FL Evolutionary Biology John Cozza, Ph.D. Laboratory Manager University of Connecticut P.K. Ramachandran Nair, Ph.D. Department of Biology Storrs, CT Distinguished Professor University of Miami School of Forest Resources & Conservation Coral Gables, FL Peter Crane, Ph.D.* University of Florida Carl W. Knobloch Jr. Dean Gainesville, FL School of Forestry & Amy E. Duchelle, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Research Associate Environmental Studies Gustav Paulay, Ph.D. Center for Latin American Studies Yale University Professor, Curator University of Florida and the Center New Haven, CT Florida Museum of Natural History for International Forestry Research University of Florida Gainesville, FL Cynthia S. Jones, Ph.D. Gainesville, FL Associate Professor G. B. Edwards, Ph.D. Department of Ecology and J. Akers Pence, Ph.D. Taxonomic Entomologist Evolutionary Biology Postdoctoral Research Associate Florida State Collection of Arthropods University of Connecticut McGuire Center for Lepidoptera Gainesville, FL Storrs, CT and Biodiversity Florida Museum of Natural History John H. Epler, Ph.D. Gainesville, FL DELAWARE Crawfordville, FL Sue Ann Perry, Ph.D. Jeffrey Buler, Ph.D. Steven Green, Ph.D. Homestead, FL Research Scientist Professor Department of Entomology & Department of Biology Kathryn W. Tosney, Ph.D. Wildlife Ecology University of Miami Professor, Chair University of Delaware Coral Gables, FL Department of Biology Newark, DE University of Miami Brian Inouye, Ph.D. Coral Gables, FL Tallahassee, FL George J. Wilder, Ph.D. David Paul Janos, Ph.D. Naples, FL Professor Department of Biology University of Miami Coral Gables, FL

HAWAII INDIANA William J. Platt, Ph.D. Professor Yiqing Li, Ph.D. John W. Bickham, Ph.D. Department of Biological Sciences Assistant Professor of Forestry Professor, Director Louisiana State University College of Agriculture, Forestry & Center for the Environment Baton Rouge, LA Natural Resource Management Purdue University University of Hawai’i at Hilo West Lafayette, IN Thomas W. Sherry, Ph.D. Hilo, HI Professor John O. Whitaker, Ph.D. Department of Ecology and Donald K. Price, Ph.D. Terra Haute, IN Evolutionary Biology Professor, Chair Tulane University Tropical Conservation Biology and New Orleans, LA Environmental Science Graduate Program IOWA University of Hawai’i at Hilo Russ Benedict, Ph.D. Hilo, HI MAINE Associate Professor Biology Department Michael E. Day, Ph.D. ILLINOIS Central College Associate Professor Pella, IA School of Forest Resources Charles K. Boyce, Ph.D. University of Maine Associate Professor Thomas C. Harrington, Ph.D. Orono, ME Department of the Geophysical Sciences Professor University of Chicago Department of Plant Pathology John Lemons, Ph.D. Chicago, IL Iowa State University Professor Ames, IA Department of Environmental Studies Everett D. Cashatt, Ph.D. University of New England Chair and Curator Biddeford, ME Department of Zoology KANSAS Illinois State Museum Charles D. Michener, Ph.D. Springfield, IL MARYLAND Professor Emeritus Steven A. Juliano, Ph.D. Department of Ecology and Douglas H. Boucher, Ph.D. Distinguished Professor of Ecology Evolutionary Biology Director Department of Biological Sciences University of Kansas Tropical Forest & Climate Initiative Illinois State University Lawrence, KS Union of Concerned Scientists Normal, IL Dickerson, MD Mandy Lee Stone, M.S. David Packard Matlaga, Ph.D. Lawrence, KS Geoffrey L. Doyle, Ph.D. Urbana, IL Charlestown, MD

Ken N. Paige, Ph.D. KENTUCKY Daniel S. Gruner, Ph.D. Professor, Department Head Assistant Professor Deborah B. Hill, Ph.D. Department of Animal Biology Department of Entomology Extension Professor University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign University of Maryland, College Park Department of Forestry Urbana, IL College Park, MD University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Bruce D. Patterson, Ph.D. David W. Inouye, Ph.D. MacArthur Curator of Mammals Professor Department of Zoology LOUISIANA Department of Biology Field Museum of Natural History University of Maryland, College Park Chicago, IL Matthew Chatfield, Ph.D. College Park, MD Postdoctoral Fellow William Perry, Ph.D. Department of Ecology and Clinton N. Jenkins, Ph.D. Associate Professor Evolutionary Biology Assistant Research Scientist Department of Biological Sciences Tulane University Department of Biology Illinois State University New Orleans, LA University of Maryland, College Park Normal, IL College Park, MD

MASSACHUSETTS Richard E. Wetzler, Ph.D. Earl R. Rosenwinkel, Ph.D. Reading, MA Duluth, MN Eric Chivian, M.D. Founder, Director E.O. Wilson, Ph.D.* Center for Health and the Pellegrino University Research MISSOURI Global Environment Professor Emeritus Harvard Medical School Entomology Department Deborah A. Clark, Ph.D. Cambridge, MA Harvard University Research Professor Cambridge, MA Department of Biology Linda A. Deegan, Ph.D. University of Missouri-St. Louis Senior Scientist St. Louis, MO The Ecosystems Center MICHIGAN Marine Biological Laboratory Lee O’Brien, M.S. Woods Hole, MA Sharon Gill, Ph.D. Webster Groves, MO Assistant Professor Lisa J. Delissio, Ph.D. Department of Biological Sciences Peter H. Raven, Ph.D.* Associate Professor Western Michigan University President Department of Biology Kalamazoo, MI Missouri Botanical Garden Salem State College St. Louis, MO Salem, MA Maarten J. Vonhof, Ph.D. Assistant Professor David R. Foster, Ph.D. Department of Biological Sciences MONTANA Director Western Michigan University Harvard Forest Kalamazoo, MI Deborah Kay Izlar, M.S. Harvard University Botanist Petersham, MA Lolo National Forest MINNESOTA United States Forest Service Peter Frumhoff, Ph.D. Missoula, MT Director of Science and Policy, Simon K. Emms, Ph.D. Climate Change Campaign Associate Professor David W. Roberts, Ph.D. Chief Scientist Department of Biology Professor, Department Head Union of Concerned Scientists University of St. Thomas Department of Ecology Cambridge, MA St. Paul, MN Montana State University Bozeman, MT Susan Goldhor, Ph.D. Lee E. Frelich, Ph.D. Cambridge, MA St. Paul, MN NEW HAMPSHIRE Thomas S. Litwin, Ph.D. Jon E. Grinnell, Ph.D. Douglas T. Bolger, Ph.D. Director Associate Professor Professor Clark Science Center Department of Biology Environmental Studies Program Smith College Gustavus Adolphus College Dartmouth College Northampton, MA St. Peter, MN Hanover, NH Amy L. Mertl, Ph.D. Evan B. Hazard, Ph.D. Bill W. Mautz, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow Bemidji, MN Durham, NH Department of Biology Boston University Patrice A. Morrow, Ph.D. David R. Peart, Ph.D. Boston, MA Professor Emeritus Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Professor Department of Biological Sciences Dan Nepstad, Ph.D.* University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Dartmouth College Senior Scientist St. Paul, MN Hanover, NH Woods Hole Research Center Falmouth, MA Jennifer Sarah Powers, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Paul Somers, Ph.D. Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Ashburnham, MA University of Minnesota, Twin Cities St. Paul, MN

N E W J E R S E Y Charles A. S. Hall, Ph.D. John M. Waud, Ph.D. College of Environmental Science Professor Thomas Barringer, Ph.D. and Forestry Environmental Science Program Stockton, NJ State University of New York, ESF Rochester Institute of Technology Syracuse, NY Pittsford, NY Stephanie A. Bohlman, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Research Associate Geoffrey Heal, Ph.D. Department of Ecology and Professor NORTH CAROLINA Evolutionary Biology Columbia Business School Princeton University Columbia University Michael J. Baranski, Ph.D. Princeton, NJ New York, NY Professor Department of Biology Brooke Maslo, Ph.D. Elton Homan, Ph.D. Catawba College Senior Ecologist Visiting Fellow Salisbury, NC Green Shield Ecology, Inc. Department of Entomology Bridgewater, NJ Cornell University Pamela Jagger, Ph.D. Ithaca, NY Assistant Professor Department of Public Policy N E W M E X I C O Brian G. Keel, Ph.D. The University of North Carolina Shushan, NY at Chapel Hill Robert J. Tafanelli, Ph.D. Chapel Hill, NC Las Cruces, NM J.D. Lewis, Ph.D. Associate Professor Randy G. Martin, Ph.D. Heather L. Throop, Ph.D. Department of Biological Sciences Maggie Valley, NC Assistant Professor Fordham University Department of Biology Bronx, NY Stuart L. Pimm, Ph.D.* New Mexico State University Doris Duke Professor of Conservation Las Cruces, NM Melissa S. Lucash, Ph.D. Ecology Postdoctoral Research Analyst Nicholas School of the Environment College of Environmental Science Duke University NEVADA and Forestry Durham, NC Peter F. Brussard, Ph.D. State University of New York, ESF Nigel C. A. Pitman, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus Syracuse, NY Research Associate Department of Biology Center for Tropical Conservation University of Nevada Krista L. McGuire, Ph.D. Duke University Reno, NV Assistant Professor Department of Biological Sciences Durham, NC Barnard College; Columbia University N E W Y O R K New York, NY Joshua Matthew Rapp, M.S. Biology Department Jeffrey D. Corbin, Ph.D. Anna Mockler, M.S. Wake Forest University Assistant Professor City University of New York Winston-Salem, NC Department of Biological Sciences Brooklyn, NY Union College Matthew Rubino, M.S. Schenectady, NY Richard S. Ostfeld, Ph.D. Conservation Biologist Millbrook, NY Department of Zoology Anthony Di Fiore, Ph.D. North Carolina State University Associate Professor William H. Schlesinger, Ph.D. Raleigh, NC Department of Anthropology President New York University Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Jeffrey R. Vincent, Ph.D. New York, NY Millbrook, NY Professor Nicholas School of the Environment Janice E. Thies, Ph.D. Duke University Ithaca, NY Durham, NC

OHIO PENNSYLVANIA Amity Wilczek, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Research Associate Donald Raymond Geiger, Ph.D. Daniel H. Janzen, Ph.D.* Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Dayton, OH Professor of Biology, Thomas G. Brown University and Louise E. DiMaura Term Chair Providence, RI Charles A. McClaugherty, Ph.D. Department of Biology Professor University of Pennsylvania Biology Department Philadelphia, PA SOUTH CAROLINA Mount Union College Alliance, OH Emily K. Brock, Ph.D. PUERTO RICO Assistant Professor Thomas Rooney, Ph.D. Department of History Assistant Professor Denny S. Fernandez del Viso, Ph.D. University of South Carolina Department of Biological Sciences Professor Columbia, SC Wright State University Department of Biology Dayton, OH University of Puerto Rico at Humacao Humacao, PR SOUTH DAKOTA Kristin C. Smock, Ph.D. Ohio State University Sheila E. Ward, Ph.D. Molly Nepokroeff, Ph.D. Columbus, OH San Juan, PR Associate Professor Department of Biology Martin Henry H. Stevens, Ph.D. University of South Dakota Professor RHODE ISLAND Vermillion, SD Department of Botany Timothy D. Herbert, Ph.D. Miami University John G. Swallow, Ph.D. Providence, RI Oxford, OH Vermillion, SD Brad Marston, Ph.D. Harry James Stone, Ph.D. Professor Cincinnati, OH TENNESSEE Department of Physics Brown University John Andes, M.S. Providence, RI Nashville, TN OREGON

Matthew G. Betts, Ph.D. Stephen Porder, Ph.D. Patrick Len Rakes, M.S. Assistant Professor Providence, RI Knoxville, TN Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society Kenneth B. Raposa, Ph.D. Oregon State University Prudence Island, RI TEXAS Corvallis, OR J. Timmons Roberts, Ph.D. Charles H. Cannon, Ph.D. Associate Professor Cathy R. Brown, M.S. Professor, Director Department of Biological Sciences Portland, OR Center for Environmental Studies Brown University Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX Gary S. Hartshorn, Ph.D. Providence, RI Portland, OR Osvaldo E. Sala, Ph.D. Troy A. Ladine, Ph.D. Professor Honor Penelope Vallor, M.A. Professor Department of Biology Marylhurst University Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology East Texas Baptist University Portland, OR Brown University Providence, RI Marshall, TX

Dov F. Sax, Ph.D. William P. Mackay, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Professor Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Department of Biological Sciences Brown University University of Texas at El Paso Providence, RI El Paso, TX

T E X A S CONTINUED Marc F. Lapin, Ph.D. Alma Virginia Freire, Ph.D. Associate in Science Instruction Associate Professor Monica B. Swartz, Ph.D. Program in Environmental Studies Department of Biology Executive Director Middlebury College University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Wild Basin Wilderness Middlebury, VT Stevens Point, WI St. Edward’s University Austin, TX William E. Williams, Ph.D. Dana Helen Geary, Ph.D. Professor Professor Ray C. Telfair II, Ph.D. Department of Biology Department of Geoscience Whitehouse, TX University of Vermont University of Wisconsin-Madison Burlington, VT Madison, WI

UTAH Lucas Neal Joppa, Ph.D. VIRGINIA Phillips, WI William A. Adair, Ph.D. Research Associate Patricia E. Elias, M.S. Gregor W. Schuurman, Ph.D. Department of Wildland Resources McLean, VA Honorary Fellow Utah State University Department of Botany Logan, UT Thomas E. Lovejoy, Ph.D.* University of Wisconsin-Madison Biodiversity Chair, The Heinz Center Madison, WI Tim Brown, Ph.D. Washington, DC TimeScience LLC University Professor Eric L. Singsaas, Ph.D. Salt Lake City, UT George Mason University Professor Fairfax, VA Department of Biology Phyllis D. Coley, Ph.D. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Distinguished Professor Stevens Point, WI Department of Biology WASHINGTON University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Bob L. Gillespie, Ph.D. WYOMING Wenatchee, WA Diane W. Davidson, Ph.D. Edward B. Barbier, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus John Longino, Ph.D. John S. Bugas Professor of Economics Department of Biology Professor Department of Economics University of Utah Evergreen State College and Finance Salt Lake City, UT Olympia, WA University of Wyoming Laramie, WY John F. Mull, Ph.D. Gordon H. Orians, Ph.D.* Professor Professor Emeritus Stephen T. Jackson, Ph.D. Department of Zoology Department of Biology Professor, Director Weber State University University of Washington Department of Botany, Program Ogden, UT Seattle, WA in Ecology University of Wyoming William D. Newmark, Ph.D. Laramie, WY Research Curator WISCONSIN Utah Museum of Natural History University of Utah James D. Berkelman, Ph.D. Salt Lake City, UT Faculty Associate Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology VERMONT University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI Nicholas James Gotelli, Ph.D. Professor Tracy S. Feldman, Ph.D. Department of Biology Assistant Professor University of Vermont Department of Biology Burlington, VT University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI

INSTITUTIONAL AFFILIATION LISTED FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES ONLY * INDICATES ORIGINAL AUTHOR AND/OR SIGNER OF THIS LETTER Tropical forest ecosystems are being lost at an alarmingly high rate. With global financial commitments, we can fight climate change cost-effectively by reducing global warming emissions from deforestation.

SIR PETER CRANE Carl W. Knobloch Jr. Dean of the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, Yale University, New Haven, CT; foreign associate, U.S. National Academy of Sciences; knighted in the United Kingdom for services to horticulture and conservation

The future of the planet and its irreplaceable array of biodiversity strongly depends on the conservation of tropical forests. With global financial commitments, we can fight climate change cost-effectively by reducing global warming emissions from deforestation and by increasing carbon storage through forest restoration and regeneration. These same actions will protect the unique biodiversity in tropical forest ecosystems.

ROBIN CHAZDON Full Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut

One encouraging outcome from the international climate negotiations in Copenhagen was a commitment by many nations to work to reduce carbon emissions from cutting and burning tropical rainforests. We now have the technology to measure the quantities of carbon stored by tropical forests, so we know that protecting those forests will make a major contribution to our efforts to reduce carbon emissions to the atmosphere. Therefore, providing the resources and the political support structure to enable local people to protect tropical forests while meeting their economic needs is a vital component of global efforts to avert the looming deleterious effects of climate change.

GORDON H. ORIANS Professor Emeritus of Biology, Biology Department, University of Washington, Seattle; Member, National Academy of Sciences

Front cover photos, clockwise from top right: Back cover photos, clockwise from top right: Printed on 100% post-consumer ©iStockphoto.com/Sze Fei Wong ©iStockphoto.com/1001nights recycled paper, process chlorine-free, with vegetable-based inks ©iStockphoto.com/Iakov Kalinin ©iStockphoto.com/Skip O’Donnell ©iStockphoto.com/Brandon Alms ©iStockphoto.com/ranplett ©iStockphoto.com/Juan Silva Protecting the world’s forests is not a [It’s] probably the most cost-effective luxury—it is a necessity. This substantial way for us to address the issue of commitment [of $1 billion over 3 years] climate change—having an effective is reflective of our recognition that set of mechanisms in place to avoid international public finance must play further deforestation and hopefully a role in developing countries’ efforts to plant new trees. to slow, halt and reverse deforestation. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA Speaking with Jens Stoltenberg, Prime Minister of Norway SECRETARY TOM VILSACK December 10, 2009 Announcing the U.S. pledge in Copenhagen, Denmark December 16, 2009

Compiled by the Union of Concerned Scientists on behalf of the signers of this letter. To view and download, visit www.ucsusa.org/forestletter.