Actress Mélanie Laurent of the film Inglourious Basterds is joining Greenpeace on a trip to Indonesia this week to see the incredible beauty of one of the most important and threatened tropical forests on the planet. The purpose is to publicly highlight the importance of protecting these amazing forests in the run up to critical UN climate talks this December in Copenhagen, Denmark. 

Melanie will witness first hand the destruction and burning of the forests and the underlying carbon rich peat. She will meet local communities who are dependent on the forest for their survival. We may also be able to see endangered biodiversity, for example we may be able to visit a Sumatran elephant refuge or a rehabilitation centre where orangutans are being introduced back into the wild. 

WHY FORESTS?
Forests store enormous quantities of carbon. When they are destroyed, this carbon is released, contributing to climate change. In fact, forest destruction accounts for 20% of all our global greenhouse gas emissions - more than all airplanes, cars and trains put together. Bringing an end to such destruction is one of the quickest and easiest ways we can tackle climate change and the issues surrounding it.

Our future will be decided at the United Nations Climate Conference in Copenhagen. Any deal our leaders make will only be effective if they cut emissions from both fossil fuels and deforestation. To get the level of political action we need to avert a climate disaster, we need to create a public outcry and secure enough funds to end deforestation. 

Laurent's been active on urging nations to seal the deal in Copenhagen - she also appeared in last months' "Beds are Burning" video.