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<META content="Microsoft SafeHTML" name=Generator>Dear friends around the UK,<BR><BR>
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<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 10px; BORDER-TOP: #000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 10px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 10px; BORDER-LEFT: #000 1px solid; PADDING-TOP: 10px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000 1px solid"><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2>Already stumbling, global climate talks could collapse completely unless the UK government backs strong protections for forests. <B>A national outcry could push the UK to be a climate leader</B> and block accounting tricks for forests. Send our climate minister Chris Huhne a message urging him to lead, and forward it to your friends: <BR>
<DIV style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><BR><A href="http://www.avaaz.org/en/trees_not_tricks_uk/?cl=770521316&v=7293" target=_blank><IMG alt="Send a Message!" src="http://avaazimages.s3.amazonaws.com/Button_Sendamessage!_Blue_En.jpg" width=200 border=0></DIV></FONT></A></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Next week, a small group of European countries are <B>planning to create a massive loophole</B> that would further <B>undermine the prospects of the upcoming global climate talks</B>. A strong stance from the UK now could halt their plan, but only a national outcry will persuade the government to step up.<BR><BR>Since the Copenhagen summit, global climate <B>negotiations have been on the brink of collapse</B>, and a breakthrough is urgently needed. Now, Sweden, Finland and Austria are leading <B>a push for an accounting trick</B> that would let rich countries <B>cut down as many trees as they wanted</B> -- without having to report the increased climate damage.<BR><BR>The <B>UK is well-placed</B> to rally other European countries and <B>stop this scam.</B> But the new government hasn’t yet made up its mind on the issue. We know they want to be seen as <B>the greenest government ever</B>, and this is their chance <B>to start strongly on the international climate stage.</B> Let’s send a flood of messages to Climate Minister, Chris Huhne, urging <B>him to be bold on climate</B> and make forests count at next week’s meeting. Click below to take action:<BR><BR><A href="http://www.avaaz.org/en/trees_not_tricks_uk/?cl=770521316&v=7293" target=_blank>http://www.avaaz.org/en/trees_not_tricks_uk/?vl</A> <BR><BR><B>The negotiation over the forest loophole comes at a pivotal time.</B> Political momentum on climate change has slowed -- while the climate crisis itself has grown worse. 2010 has been the hottest year ever on record, with a rising tide of climate-related disasters from Pakistan to Russia.<BR><BR><B>Forests are the lungs of our planet, sustaining people, animals and plants worldwide.</B> They’re also a potential life-saver in the fight against climate change. But they’re threatened: deforestation already contributes to 20% of all global greenhouse gas emissions. <B>We can’t let a handful of countries undermine efforts to protect them</B>, exploiting forests to avoid taking on real action to protect our common future.<BR><BR>The UK can stiffen Europe’s collective resolve to tackle this issue, and <B>inject vital new hope into the climate negotiations</B> that will shape the world we all live on. Let’s <B>show Mr. Huhne that people across the UK want our government to lead the way</B> -- sign on and forward this message:<BR><BR><A href="http://www.avaaz.org/en/trees_not_tricks_uk/?cl=770521316&v=7293" target=_blank>http://www.avaaz.org/en/trees_not_tricks_uk/?vl</A><BR><BR>In the wake of the recession, the <B>European Union has suffered a crisis of confidence on climate</B> -- and faltered in its leadership. We know that <B>Europe can lead the way on forest protection</B>, because it’s done so before: earlier this year European citizens and leaders agreed to curb the devastating trade in illegal timber. As a major economic and political force in the EU, the UK government has a significant role to fulfill in shaping decisions.<BR><BR>In the sustainable future that we all seek, forests will be accorded the same respect by governments that they have always received from the world’s people. As we build a movement capable of overcoming climate change, let’s use this moment to protect the trees that have protected humankind for millennia.<BR><BR>With hope,<BR><BR>Ben, Iain, Alex, Graziela, Ben M, Mia, David and the rest of the Avaaz team.<BR><BR>Sources:<BR><BR>Cheating Countries Threaten Efforts to Save Forests: <A href="http://adoptanegotiator.org/2010/06/05/cheating-countries-threaten-efforts-to-save-forests/" target=_blank>http://adoptanegotiator.org/2010/06/05/cheating-countries-threaten-efforts-to-save-forests/</A><BR><BR>Closing loopholes and bridging gaps: <A href="http://blogs.worldwatch.org/revolt/closing-loopholes-and-bridging-gaps-after-bonn" target=_blank>http://blogs.worldwatch.org/revolt/closing-loopholes-and-bridging-gaps-after-bonn</A><BR><BR>Make Forests Count explain the problems with loopholes: <A href="http://makeforestscount.org/problem.php" target=_blank>http://makeforestscount.org/problem.php</A><BR><BR><IMG src="http://www.avaaz.org/act/open/770521316.gif" border=0><BR><B>Support the Avaaz community!</B> We're entirely funded by donations and receive no money from governments or corporations. Our dedicated team ensures even the smallest contributions go a long way -- <A href="https://secure.avaaz.org/en/donate_to_avaaz/?cl=770521316&v=7293" target=_blank>donate here</A>.<BR><BR>
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