Shrinking arctic ice. Increased tropical cyclone activity. Severe droughts. Scientists say we’re already beginning to experience the effects of climate change -- but it’s not too late to change the course. For more than 20 years, the Rainforest Alliance has been working to curb deforestation, responsible for 20 percent of all global greenhouse gas emissions. That’s more than the emissions from trains, planes and automobiles combined.

We believe that reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) is an important and economical way to fight climate change -- not to mention the countless other reasons to protect our lush, beautiful and biodiverse forests. And we’re not alone. A new report from the Commission on Climate and Tropical Forests finds that "unchecked tropical deforestation is a major threat to vital national interests; forest protections offer the most cost-effective way to achieve fast, large-scale reductions in carbon dioxide emissions; and that United States-led efforts to incentivize forest conservation, backed up by strong domestic policies to galvanize international action, would strengthen national security, reduce international instability, help alleviate global poverty, and conserve priceless biodiversity."

So what is the Rainforest Alliance doing to keep trees standing? We’re promoting responsible forest management, so that forests continue to provide environmental services, such as carbon sequestration, even as timber and botanicals are extracted. We’re teaching tourism companies how to manage their greenhouse gas emissions, and offset those which they cannot eliminate. And we’re helping farmers protect and restore tree cover, while enabling forest-based communities committed to responsible land management to benefit from payments for carbon credits. It doesn’t stop there. We’re educating the next generation of conservationists about the importance of environmental stewardship, too.

In honor of Blog Action Day 2009, here are a few ways that you too can make a difference...

• Buy Rainforest Alliance Certified™ products. They come from farms and forests that conserve trees -- valuable sponges for carbon dioxide.
• Take stock of your personal carbon footprint with a carbon calculator. It’ll help you to identify your emissions -- and the places where you can cut back.
• Purchase renewable energy, like that generated from windmills, solar panels and geothermal sources.
• Recycle & buy recycled. It takes less energy to manufacture products like paper, glass, metal and plastic from recycled material. But remember: recycled material is only part of the solution. All recycled material has to start somewhere -- purchase Forest Stewardship Council-certified products to ensure that paper and wood products originate in responsibly-managed forestland.
• Plant indigenous trees. They’ll absorb carbon dioxide, beautify your yard and enhance your local wildlife habitat.
• Travel responsibly by choosing eco-conscious hotels and tour operators. Take direct flights to minimize carbon emissions, and consider purchasing carbon offsets to further reduce the impact of your travel. Take note of efforts your hotel makes to reduce energy use, and help them by asking that they don’t launder your towels and sheets every day.
• Invest in energy-efficient lighting. A compact fluorescent light bulb uses 75 to 80 percent less energy than a traditional incandescent.
• Think before you drive. Walk, bike or take public transportation whenever doable. If you have to drive, consider carpooling, and when it’s time to upgrade to a new vehicle, choose a car with good gas mileage.
• Adjust your thermostat. Heating and cooling are responsible for the majority of home energy use. Set your thermostat so that it’s a few degrees warmer in the summer (78° F or hotter) and a few degrees cooler in the winter (70° F or colder). You can also use window shades to conserve warmth in your home.
• Support the Rainforest Alliance. We’re working around the globe to ensure that farming, forestry and tourism are practiced responsibly. A donation to the Rainforest Alliance supports our work to conserve forests and minimize carbon emissions on farms, in forests and at hotels.
• Spread the word! Talk to your family, friends and coworkers about climate change -- and encourage them to do their part to stop deforestation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Remember, lots of little changes can make a big difference. Together, we can stop climate change.