We can't have a healthy planet without stopping the destruction of the world's forests.

They might seem like far away places - but even here in the UK there's a lot we can do to help prevent their loss.

Forests are a critical part of our life support system because they:

• Absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide - a climate changing gas
• Keep millions of important species alive
• Help prevent soil erosion

But they are disappearing at an incredible rate - we're losing an area the size of 36 football pitches per minute.

By 2020 they could have disappeared completely in Indonesia.

Forests are disappearing because of:

• Demand for new farmland
  Means forests are cut down to grow crops like palm oil and soy.
• Climate change
  Rising temperatures could lead to forests dying.
• Unfair trade rules
  Big business gets easy access to timber in the developing world - and local people's rights are ignored.

Palm oil in detail

The growth of oil palm plantations is driving the clearing of forests in Indonesia.

Palm oil is found in many everyday goods - from muesli to toothpaste. And increasingly it's being used as a biofuel.

But it's not all bad news.

Friends of the Earth works with forest peoples to help them protect their rights.

In Indonesia - we've helped prevent 50,000 hectares of forest (around a 1/3 the size of greater London) from being destroyed.