Earth Day 2008 is already under way. Join us in the preparations for the biggest Earth Day yet and start planning your event now with Earth Day Network's Organizer's Guide and resources. You can also review Earth Day 2007 and an interactive map of worldwide events.

From The Rainforest Foundation: "The first-ever law in Africa guarding against the discrimination, exploitation and violence endured by indigenous peoples could be passed in the Republic of Congo by the end of 2007.

We need your help now to safeguard the basic human rights of indigenous peoples who play a crucial role in protecting Congo’s rainforests. Please sign our petition urging Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso to support this vital legislation affecting the lives of tens of thousands of indigenous peoples.

Climate Protection Payments Must Avoid Deforestation of Ancient Rainforests AND Their Industrial Diminishment. The concept of "avoided deforestation" -- whereby countries are paid to protect forests -- is the most promising rainforest and climate change policy development in years. It fights climate change at a low cost while preserving other ecosystem services, safeguarding biodiversity and improving living standards for some of the world's poorest people. Unlike other proposed forest conservation solutions, such as "certified" forest logging of ancient forests (primary and old-growth forests), it has the potential to maintain standing rainforests in an intact, fully functioning condition; while meeting reasonable local development needs...