The problem here is that we are once again expecting the world's poor to make sacrifices while countries like the UK and USA carry on exploiting their environment because "it is a commercial necessity".
Surely what we need is funding to rent these forests from the local population so that they can have both an income and a source of economic development.

RESPONSE: Agreed, if you look at the sample letter is suggests just such a similar arrangement. We have long advocated for payments for "avoided deforestation".

STOP the Great Ugandan Rainforest giveaway!!!Immediately!!!

I agree with the two previous comments. We , from the rich developed world must bear in mind a whole population in Uganda want to prosper, educate themselves and be healthy. We in the west have exploited that country during our imperial past, and now we expect it to stay just as we want it , for our higher ideals, of ecology and so on.
Who can explain to the President and his cabinet the implications for Uganda...? Could they be persuaded by the lure of tourist foreign exchange, and the longer term outcomes of less aggressive agricultural projects. How about the organic farming route? We cannot just spout ecology .We have to have viable alternatives. How hard can it be.?Uganda is fertile, has rainfall, has fabulous scenery, wildlife, beautiful people. All it needs is organistaion and the cleanning up of corruption. Why can't the coffee and tea plantations together with tourism sustain the economy?
Jeannie Mehta (Husband is Ugandan born Asian)

RESPONSE: The entire alert and sample letter is written in terms of highlighting impacts of rainforest loss FOR UGANDANS. Lake Victoria is in dire straights, climate is changing, etc. I get your point, but rainforest conservation is to first and foremost benefit local peoples.

Yes I agree with the previous statements. I would we a part of most political rainforest but the government is trying to tear it down to build glofcourses and houses (town houses) with is a shame becasue like us we have beautiful animals and maybe fish anything living in the rainforest lots and lots of animals... Beautiful agriculture is the politcal way to observe

i think the Ugandan rainforest givaway should stop!!!!

i think that everyone should do there part to help keep the rain forests and just plain forests alive.
over 50%of our plants and animals started and live in these forests people are threatening to teear down to build and stuff like that. our forest provide protection from ownward rain fall ,sleet & hail, they reduce the storm run off and the posibilty of flooding.Our unique species of plants help scientist creat more medicine to help people who are sick. i think we should all do our part to help keep our forest.how would you like it if people tore down your home to make more land for them selfs?

i should stop before it gets any worse!