The Scientists' Letter on the Copenhagen Commitment for Tropical Forests

The Scientists' Letter on the Copenhagen Commitment for Tropical Forests is a letter asking members of Congress to keep the commitment made by the United States in Copenhagen on December 16, 2009. There the United States promised $1 billion over 3 years for tropical forest conservation. To fulfill this promise, Congress must appropriate funds to conserving tropical forests.

The Scientists' Letter on the Copenhagen Commitment for Tropical Forests was released in April of 2010, with a congressional briefing and meetings with members of Congress and their staff by a panel of scientists who signed the letter.

The nearly 200 signers of the letter all have advanced degrees in the natural or social sciences, and forest-related expertise.

Tropical deforestation causes about 15% of the world's global warming pollution. Conserving these forests is a cost-effective way to reduce global warming pollution worlwide. Protecting tropical forests also protects the many plant and animal species that call the forests home, as well as supports the indigenous communities that rely on these forests for survival.