Examine individual changes

'[[File:Illegal Deforestation Plantation.jpeg|Deforested lands in Sumatra, Indonesia, being prepared for large scale palm oil development. Globally, deforestation accounts for almost 20% of the earths annual carbon emissions. |365x365px|frame]] '''Avoided Deforestation Partners,''' or '''AD Partners,''' is a [[non-profit]] organization under the auspices of the Center for International Policy in Washington, D.C.<ref>{{cite web|title=Programs|url=http://www.ciponline.org/programs/avoided-deforestation-partners#&panel1-3|website=Center for International Policy|accessdate=23 January 2016}}</ref> AD Partners is involved in the global effort to solve [[climate change]] by working to end deforestation in tropical rainforest countries.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|title=Rain Forests Lose Out in Senate's New Climate Bill|url=http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1989403,00.html?xid=rss-topstories|publisher=Time: Science and Space|accessdate=21 December 2012|author=Walsh, Bryan|date=18 May 2010}}</ref> By avoiding the practice of deforestation, i.e., clearing forests to provide inexpensive farmland (also known as “slash and burn agriculture”), the world gains the significant climate benefits of ''not'' releasing massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere.<ref>{{cite web|title=Carbon is the Circle of Life|url=http://environ.andrew.cmu.edu/m3/s4/cycleCarbon.shtml|publisher=Carnegie Mellon - Environmental Decision Making, Science and Technology|accessdate=23 January 2016}}</ref> In addition, stopping the practice of deforestation also allows forests to sequester carbon and scrub pollutants from our air.<ref>{{cite news|title=Scientists Explore Using Forests to Scrub Pollution Out of the Air|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/scientists-explore-using-forests-scrub-pollution-out-air-n126601|accessdate=23 January 2016|publisher=NBC News|date=9 June 2014}}</ref> Beyond protecting our air quality, tropical forests create the conditions for rain,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Robbins|first1=Jim|title=Deforestation and Drought|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/11/opinion/sunday/deforestation-and-drought.html|accessdate=23 January 2016|publisher=New York Times|date=9 Oct 2015}}</ref> recharge our water sources, provide habitats for untold numbers of plant and animal species, and support a way of life for 1.6 billion forest dependent people.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Stolton, S. and Dudley, N.|title=Managing forests for cleaner water for urban populations|url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/010/a1598e/a1598e10.htm|publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Corporate Document Repository|accessdate=23 January 2016}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|title=Forests and People: A Historical Relationship (2011)|url=http://www.un.org/esa/forests/wp-content/uploads/bsk-pdf-manager/83_FACT_SHEET_FORESTSANDPEOPLE.PDF|publisher=United Nations - Forest for People fact sheet|accessdate=23 January 2016}}</ref> Leading scientists and economists say that ending deforestation is the most cost effective and scalable method of reducing greenhouse gases. In fact, they believe that ending deforestation will cut the timeframe for solving the climate crisis in half.<ref>{{cite web|title=Deforestation and Greenhouse Gases: 2012 Report|url=https://www.cbo.gov/publication/42686|publisher=Congressional Budget Office|accessdate=23 January 2016}}</ref> AD Partners’ focus has been and continues to be on advocating for U.S. and international forest protection policies. A large part of their efforts go towards convening global leaders from government, civil society and the business world at the international United National Climate summits, also known as the UNFCCC COP meetings. <br /> Most recently, AD Partners has joined major television and movie climate change media production projects to help raise awareness about the critical link between climate change and the massive deforestation that continues to occur in rainforest countries such as Brazil and Indonesia. For most of the world, the concept that ending deforestation has a direct and profound link to solving the climate crisis is still very much unknown.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Barrett|first1=Kelli|title=Forests And Water: The Unappreciated Link|url=http://www.ecosystemmarketplace.com/articles/forests-water-unappreciated-link/|accessdate=23 January 2016|publisher=Ecosystem Marketplace|date=5 March 2015}}</ref> ==Major Media Projects== === Emmy Award-Winning Showtime Series “Years of Living Dangerously,” Seasons 1 and 2 === [[File:PastedGraphic-1.tiff|AD Partners founder Jeff Horowitz on stage at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles with Executive Producer David Gelber and other senior members of the “Years of Living Dangerously” team to accept Emmy Award.|400x400px|frame]] To broaden its audience base for their message about the important connection between deforestation and climate change, Jeff Horowitz joined the [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] docu-series, ''[[Years of Living Dangerously]]'' as the co-producer of the first two episodes related to deforestation. Horowitz secured the participation of actor/conservationist Harrison Ford as the story's correspondent. The executive producers for this landmark Showtime climate change series were [[James Cameron]], the late [[Jerry Weintraub]], and former governor [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]], along with Emmy Award-winning former 60 Minutes producers Joel Bach and David Gelber, and climate expert Daniel Abbasi. Dr. [[Joseph Romm]] ([http://thinkprogress.org/climate/issue/ ClimateProgress.org]) served as the chief science advisor. The nine episode series aired in Spring 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title="Years Of Living Dangerously': Arnold Schwarzenegger And Matt Damon Sign On For Showtime Project" (5 December 2012)|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/05/years-of-living-dangerously-showtime-baldwin_n_2240030.html|publisher=Huffington Post|accessdate=4 November 2013|first=Jessica|last=Leader|date=12 May 2012}}</ref> The show won the 2014 Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Best Nonfiction Series.<ref> Romm, Joe. "‘Cosmos’ Garners Four Emmys, ‘Years Of Living Dangerously’ Wins As Top Nonfiction Series," in ClimateProgress, 18 August 2014</ref> In addition to recognizing the show's executive producers, the Emmy also acknowledges the work of co-executive producer Solly Granatstein, supervising producer Jennifer Latham, senior producer Adam Bolt, and producer Jacob Kornbluth. The goal of ''Years of Living Dangerously'' is to galvanize a national conversation on climate change that inspires people to share their own stories and empowers them to get involved in solutions. Years reports on the crippling effects of climate change-related weather events and the ways individuals, communities, companies and governments are struggling to find solutions to the biggest threat our world has ever faced. An all-star cast of correspondents goes into the field to meet the people and see the places affected by climate change. The cast includes: Jessica Alba, Mark Bittman, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, America Ferrera, Harrison Ford, Thomas Friedman, Michael C. Hall, Chris Hayes, Olivia Munn, M. Sanjayan, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ian Somerhalder and Lesley Stahl.<ref>{{cite news|title="Showtime Climate Change Doc 'Years of Living Dangerously' Sets Talent Roster (Video)" (31 October 2013)|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/showtime-climate-change-doc-years-652182|publisher=Hollywood Reporter|accessdate=4 November 2013|first=Michael|last=O'Connell}}</ref> [[File:James Cameron and Crew Years of Living Dangerously.jpeg|“Years of Living Dangerously” crew with Executive Producer Jim Cameron.|left|293x293px|frame]] For the deforestation segment, Jeff Horowitz worked closely with actor Harrison Ford as the story’s correspondent. Mr. Ford is a passionate conservationist, currently serving as the Vice-Chair of Conservation International’s Board.<ref>{{cite news|last=Butler|first=Rhett|title=Harrison Ford causes stir investigating deforestation in Indonesia|url=http://news.mongabay.com/2013/0909-harrison-ford-indonesia.html|accessdate=4 November 2013|newspaper=Mongabay.com|date=9 September 2013}}</ref> Mr. Ford's probing interview with Indonesia's Forestry Minister about the state of the forests in Tesso Nilo National Park continues to resonate.<ref>{{cite news|last=Basorie|first=Warief Djajanto|title=Tesso Nilo, SBY's Climate Test Case|url=http://m.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/11/07/tesso-nilo-sby-s-climate-test-case.html|accessdate=7 November 2013|newspaper=The Jakarta Post|date=7 November 2013}}</ref> [[File:AD Partners Harrison Ford Grocery.jpeg|324x324px|frame|Scene from "Years of Living Dangerously”: Actor Harrison Ford on location in California supermarket being briefed by Rainforest Action Network staffer on the widespread use of palm oil in everyday consumer products.]] In addition to advising the executive producers on an episode that highlights problems of and solutions to deforestation, for the Indonesia segment, AD Partners secured interviews with key governmental officials and civil society personnel.<ref>{{cite web|last=Butler|first=Rhett|title=Behind the scenes of Showtime's blockbuster series on climate change|url=http://news.mongabay.com/2014/0418-horowitz-interview-years-project.html|publisher=Mongabay.com|accessdate=30 April 2014}}</ref> Carrying the story back to the U.S., AD Partners developed the narrative about the ways in which sophisticated monitoring techniques can be used to track the culprits of deforestation. For this piece, AD Partners obtained permission to film at NASA Ames Research Center and Google Earth, and to interview key scientists engaged in democratizing access to forest monitoring satellite data. AD Partners also put together a segment on how current agricultural practices – particularly those involved in the production of pulp and paper, cattle ranching, soy and palm oil – are largely responsible for widespread global deforestation, and how a group of manufacturers and retailers<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theconsumergoodsforum.com/index.aspx|title=About Us|publisher=Consumer Goods Forum|accessdate=7 November 2013}}</ref> is leading the transformation of [[agricultural supply store|agricultural supply]] chains, and thereby creating a market for sustainable, deforestation-free goods.<ref>{{cite news|last=Polman|first=Paul|title=Why UN Climate Talks Must Deliver a Brighter Future for Us All|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-polman/un-climate-talks_b_4177721.html|accessdate=7 November 2013|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=30 October 2013}}</ref> Filming for Season Two begins in Spring 2016, and will be broadcast by National Geographic in Fall 2016.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Andreeva|first1=Nellie|title=‘Years Of Living Dangerously’ Gets Season 2 on National Geographic Channel With David Letterman In Post-‘Late Show’ Gig|url=http://deadline.com/2015/09/years-of-living-dangerously-season-2-national-geographic-channel-arnold-schwarzenegger-david-letterman-1201531725/|accessdate=23 January 2016|publisher=Deadline Hollywood|date=17 September 2015}}</ref> Horowitz is once again collaborating with the Years Project as a co-executive producer and storytelling consultant for episodes about deforestation and climate change. The story for Season Two will focus on the continued deforestation that goes on in the Brazilian rainforest as a consequence of beef production. The narrative will also highlight the connection between deforestation and the devastating drought that has plagued Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo for the past several years.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Garcia-Navarro|first1=Lourdes|title=As Brazil's Largest City Struggles With Drought, Residents Are Leaving|url=http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/11/22/455751848/as-brazils-largest-city-struggles-with-drought-residents-are-leaving|accessdate=23 January 2016|publisher=National Public Radio|date=22 November 2015}}</ref><br /> === “Time to Choose,” a climate change documentary by Oscar-winning director-producer Charles Ferguson === [[File:Solar Collector.png|left|thumb|273x273px|Scene from “Time to Choose”: the Ivanpah solar electric generating system in California’s San Bernardino County. ]] Horowitz served as executive producer for Academy Award-winning director-producer Charles Ferguson’s<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lattman|first1=Peter|title=‘Inside Job’ Wins Oscar|url=http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/02/28/inside-job-wins-oscar/|accessdate=23 January 2016|publisher=New York Times|date=28 February 2011}}</ref> third documentary, “Time to Choose.”<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lewitinn|first1=Sarah|title=Time Is Running Out To Stream Academy Award Winner Charles Ferguson’s Powerful New Climate Change Documentary Film|url=http://decider.com/2015/12/01/time-to-choose-charles-ferguson-huffington-post/|accessdate=23 January 2016|agency=Huffington Post|publisher=The Decider|date=1 December 2015}}</ref> The film is the first to focus on viable solutions to climate change, many of which have already proven to be far safer and more cost-effective than fossil fuels. “Time to Choose” debuted online<ref>{{cite news|last1=Graham|first1=Nicholas|title='Time To Choose': Watch The New Film From Oscar-Winner Charles Ferguson|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/time-to-choose-watch-the-new-film-from-oscar-winner-charles-ferguson_us_565c5678e4b079b2818acee0|accessdate=23 January 2016|publisher=Huffington Post|date=30 November 2015}}</ref> and in Paris during the climate talks in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=COP 21|url=http://brightergreen.org/cop21/#attended|accessdate=23 January 2016|publisher=Brightergreen.org}}</ref> It is scheduled for international release in Spring 2016. Horowitz's efforts led to the inclusion in the film of a number of rainforest advocates, including renowned primatologist and UN Messenger of Peace, Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE; the United National head of international climate negotiations (UNFCCC Secretary) Christiana Figueres; Unilever CEO Paul Polman; Head of Indonesia's President's Delivery Unit for Development, Monitoring and Oversight Kuntoro Mangkusubroto; primatologist and Conservation International President Russell Mittermeier; California Governor Jerry Brown; and other important voices. <br /> [[File:Stop The Burning Title Shot.jpeg|right|frameless|400x400px|“Stop the Burning” a film short produced by AD Partners debuted in Paris at the start of the international, UN sponsored climate conference.]] === “Stop the Burning,” a short film about the importance of protecting forests, narrated by Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE === Horowitz directed and produced “Stop the Burning,” a short film based on interviews he conducted with 30 gloal leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in 2015. The 30 voices in “Stop the Burning” — from government, civil society and business – offer a collective message: deforestation must stop immediately if we are to protect our planet from the grim realities of climate change. Narrated by Dr. Jane Goodall, the film debuted online on Huffington Post<ref>{{cite news|last1=Goodall, J. and Horowitz, J.|title=A Message to Political Leaders in Paris: Stop the Burning!|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-jane-goodall-/a-message-to-political-le_b_8688500.html|accessdate=23 January 2016|publisher=Huffington Post|date=1 December 2015}}</ref> and at the 2015 climate talks in Paris at the Grand Palais and other venues.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Butler|first1=Rhett|title=New short film urges world to ‘stop the burning’|url=http://news.mongabay.com/2015/12/new-short-film-urges-world-to-stop-the-burning/|accessdate=23 January 2016|publisher=Mongabay.com|date=3 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Events at the IUCN Pavilion – UNFCCC Conference Centre|url=http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/cop21_schedule_w__description.pdf|website=IUCN.org|publisher=IUCN|accessdate=23 January 2016}}</ref> “Stop the Burning” was also featured on Upworthy as part of their series in support of the climate talks.<ref>{{cite web|title=Would you destroy your own grocery store?|url=http://www.upworthy.com/jane-goodall-along-with-30-other-world-leaders-tells-us-not-to-lose-hope-over-deforestation|website=Upworthy|accessdate=23 January 2016}}</ref><br /> The short narrative film features 30 forest advocates who were all interviewed within a 48-hour period during the 2015 World Economic Forum. In order of appearance, the film includes: <br /> Andrew Steer, President and CEO, World Resources Institute<br /> Kevin Rudd, Former Prime Minister of Australia<br /> Marco Lambertini, Director General, WWF International<br /> Jeffrey Sachs, Director, The Earth Institute, Columbia University<br /> Robert Orr, Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations<br /> Inger Andersen, Director General, IUCN<br /> Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director, Oxfam International<br /> Abdon Nababan, Secretary General, Indigenous Peoples Groups, Indonesia<br /> Paul Polman, CEO, Unilever<br /> David Maclennan, CEO, Cargill<br /> Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland, UN Envoy For Climate Change<br /> Justin Mundy, Director, HRH Prince Charles’ Rainforest Project<br /> Felipe Calderón, Former President of Mexico<br /> Fred Krupp, President, Environmental Defense Fund<br /> Helen Clark, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Administrator, UNDP<br /> Johan Rockström, Executive Director, Stockholm Resilience Center<br /> Paul Bulcke, CEO, Nestlé, S.A.<br /> Laurence Tubiana, Ambassador for Climate Change, Govt. of France<br /> Soren Schroder, CEO, Bunge Limited<br /> Peter Bakker, Pres., World Bus. Council For Sustainable Development<br /> Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary, UNFCCC<br /> Naoko Ishii, CEO and Chair, Global Environment Facility<br /> Jeremy Oppenheim, Director, McKinsey and Company<br /> Mark Tercek, President and CEO, The Nature Conservancy<br /> Rachel Kyte, VP, Special Envoy, Climate Change Group, World Bank<br /> Lord Nicholas Stern, Chair, Grantham Institute, London School Of Economics<br /> Erik Solheim, Former Minister of Environment, Norway<br /> Shinta Kamdani, Vice Chair, Indonesia Chamber of Commerce<br /> Steve Howard, Chief Sustainability Officer, Ikea<br /> Richard Branson, Chair, Virgin United ==Jeff Horowitz, Founder, Avoided Deforestation Partners== [[File:Jeff Horowitz headshot.jpg|thumbnail|left|Jeff Horowitz, Founder of Avoided Deforestation Partners]] The organization’s founder, '''Jeff Horowitz''', began the organization by bringing together leaders from government, the private sector and civil society to advance practical, scalable solutions to protect tropical forests. His philosophy is that big environmental solutions can be achieved by forging alliances among groups that are not always accustomed to working together. His first successful application of this approach was during 2008-09, when Horowitz convinced a significant number of environmental NGOs, corporate representatives, and U.S. Government agencies to participate in developing a common approach to ending deforestation. Many viewed this strategy as the only way significant forest protection provisions would be inserted into the Waxman-Markey climate bill, now known as the American Clean Energy and Security Act.<ref>{{cite web|title=The American Clean Energy And Security Act (Waxman-Markey Bill)|url=http://www.c2es.org/federal/congress/111/acesa|publisher=The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions|accessdate=23 January 2016}}</ref> Horowitz’s work lead to the inclusion of a suite of provisions that carried an estimated annual value of US $15 billion for reducing international deforestation. Businessweek and Politico reported that Horowitz played a key role during the drafting of U.S. Climate legislation to protect the rain forests, and helped to build consensus among a diverse group of players in the debate.<ref>{{cite web|title=Trees May Win One In Copenhagen|url=http://www.cnbc.com/id/34432683|publisher=CNBC: Carbon Challenge|accessdate=21 December 2012|author=Curwin, Trevor|date=15 December 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Rainforest allies make headway|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0110/31678.html|publisher=Politico|accessdate=21 December 2012|author=Lerer, Lisa|date=20 January 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Your parents were wrong|url=http://www.marcgunther.com/tag/jeff-horowitz/|accessdate=21 December 2012|author=Gunther, Marc|date=7 February 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=U.S. climate policy could help save rainforests: An interview with Jeff Horowitz, Founding Partner of Avoided Deforestation Partners |url=http://news.mongabay.com/2008/0514-interview_horowitz.html|publisher=MongaBay|accessdate=21 December 2012|author=Butler, Rhett|date=14 May 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Switching To Green-Collar Jobs|url=http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2008-01-10/switching-to-green-collar-jobsbusinessweek-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice|publisher=BloombergBusinessWeek|accessdate=21 December 2012|author=MacMillan, Douglas |date=10 January 2008}}</ref> Horowitz continues to serve as a facilitator across both for- and non-profit sectors for major environmental consensus-driven strategies for protecting international forests (and thereby the climate). In his role AD Partners’ founder, Horowitz is frequently called upon to participate in high level international climate change discussions. At the 2015 climate talks in Paris, he served as moderator for an “Earth to Paris” panel, which featured Drs. Jane Goodall and Sylvia Earle.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tapestry of Hope Debuts at COP21|url=http://news.janegoodall.org/2015/12/07/tapestry-of-hope-debuts-at-cop21/|website=janegoodall.org|accessdate=23 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Nahigyan|first1=Pierce|title=Notes From COP21: Photos From #EarthToParis|url=http://www.planetexperts.com/notes-from-cop21-earth-to-paris-recap|accessdate=25 January 2016|publisher=Planet Experts|date=8 December 2015}}</ref> In 2014, he was invited by the IUCN to attend their World Parks Congress and served as moderator for their panel, “World Leaders’ Dialogues: The Future Is Not What It Used To Be – how parks can help build a more resilient future.”<ref>{{cite web|title=World Leaders’ Dialogues: The Future Is Not What It Used To Be – how parks can help build a more resilient future|url=http://worldparkscongress.org/programme/wld_the_future_is_not_what_it_used_to_be.html|website=www.iucn.org|publisher=International Union for the Conservation of Nature|accessdate=8 February 2015}}</ref> Panel members included Paula Caballero, Senior Director, Environment and Natural Resources Management Global Practice, The World Bank Group; Sally Jewel, Secretary of Interior, United States of America; President Tommy Esang Remengesau, Jr., the eighth President of the Republic of Palau; Margareta Wahlström, Secretary-General, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction; and Zhang Xinsheng, President of International Union for Conservation of Nature, Executive Chairman of the Eco-Forum Global, and President of China Education Association for International Exchange. Horowitz’s rainforest advocacy includes media projects for mainstream media audiences, and he has written guest columns for such outlets as the Huffington Post<ref>{{cite news|last1=Horowitz|first1=Jeff|title=A New Year's Wish: More Tree Hugging CEOs|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeff-horowitz/a-new-years-wish-more-tre_b_6525990.html|accessdate=7 February 2015|work=Blog|issue=The World Economic Forum Series|publisher=Huffington Post|date=22 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Goodall, J. and Horowitz, J.|title=A Message to Political Leaders in Paris: Stop the Burning!|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-jane-goodall-/a-message-to-political-le_b_8688500.html|accessdate=23 January 2016|publisher=Huffington Post|date=1 December 2015}}</ref> and Mongabay.com.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Horowitz|first1=Jeff|title=Connecting the Dots: from Christmas Cookies to Climate Change|url=http://news.mongabay.com/2014/1226-horowitz-commentary-rps-palm-oil-cookies.html|accessdate=7 February 2015|work=Blog|publisher=Mongabay.com|date=26 December 2014}}</ref> == Mission == [[File:AD Partners Senate Briefing.jpeg|435x435px|Special session in U.S. Senate Caucus Room hosted by AD Partners, featuring Senator John Kerry, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai, along with civil society and business leaders. |frame]] AD Partners’ mission is “dedicated to advancing U.S. and international climate and resource protection policies. In particular, the group promotes the concept of “avoided deforestation,” a term coined within the context of international climate change discussions. AD Partners brings together public, private and civil society leaders to inspire decision makers to implement strategies that promote sustainable agriculture that is free of deforestation.”<ref>{{cite web|title=Mission Statement|url=http://www.adpartners.org/|publisher=Avoided Deforestation Partners|accessdate=21 December 2012}}</ref> To this end, AD Partners has convened international events that support United Nations efforts such as REDD+ ([[Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation]])<ref>{{cite news|title=A Plan to Save Rainforests Gains International Momentum|url=http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/09/24/24climatewire-a-plan-to-save-rainforests-gains-internationa-9230.html|publisher=New York Times|author=Leber, Jessica|date=24 November 2009}}</ref> and the [[Green Climate Fund]] (see subhead: Support for International Forest Protection). In addition, the organization has developed partnerships between industry and government that promote resource conservation and the significant reduction of deforestation via sustainable agricultural practices. AD Partners has supported initiatives that monetize forests’ [[carbon storage]] capacity, thereby providing [[carbon credits]] that governments and industry can buy to offset their emissions. This initiative essentially pays [[developing countries]] to protect and effectively manage their forests. The effort is intended to counter the lucrative practice of clearing [[rainforest]]s in such countries as [[Brazil]] and [[Indonesia]] so that the land can be used for cattle grazing, planting [[soy]], [[oil palm]] and other high-demand crops. However, some critics suggest that this top-down forest management approach does not adequately address the needs of communities on the ground.<ref>{{cite book|last=Davenport, D., Bulkan, J., Hajjar, R., & Hardcastle, P.|title="Forests and sustainability" in Embracing Complexity – Meeting The Challenges Of International Forest Governance|year=2011|publisher=The International Union of Forest Research Organizations|url=http://www.iufro.org/science/gfep/forest-regime-panel/report/}}</ref> == Founder of The Tropical Forest Alliance: a public-private partnership to end tropical deforestation == [[File:TFA Dinner.JPG|thumb|First formal meeting of the Tropical Forest Alliance in Washington, D.C. Attendees included leaders of industry, non-profit organizations and U.S. Government officials.|420x420px]] Since 2011, AD Partners has been working with the [[Consumer Goods Forum]] (CGF), a consortium of some of the largest retailers and manufacturers in the world. CGF members include [[Unilever]], [[Procter & Gamble]], [[General Mills]], [[Coca-Cola]], [[Walmart]], and [[Kraft Foods]]; all told, CGF companies represent $3.1 trillion in annual sales.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Us|url=http://www.theconsumergoodsforum.com/about.aspx|publisher=Consumer Goods Forum|accessdate=21 December 2012}}</ref> AD Partners has been working alongside the CGF to help facilitate their ambitious pledge to achieve zero net deforestation by 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=Resolution on Deforestation|url=http://www.theconsumergoodsforum.com/sustainability.aspx|publisher=The Consumer Goods Forum|accessdate=21 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Consumer Goods Forum plans to tackle deforestation and other key drivers of climate change|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/consumer-goods-forum-deforestation-climate|publisher=The Guardian|accessdate=21 December 2012|author=Preston, Saskia|date=1 December 2010|location=London}}</ref> By mid-2012, AD Partners had brokered a partnership between the Consumer Goods Forum and the U.S. Government that would offer support to their deforestation-free sustainable supply chain initiatives. This partnership was announced by Ambassador Don Steinberg, USAID Deputy Administrator, during the AD Partners’ Rio+20 event on June 21, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rio+20 Announcement: US Partners with CEOs to Reduce Deforestation Through Sustainable Agriculture|url=http://www.thegreenmarketoracle.com/2012/06/rio20-announcement-us-partners-with.html|publisher=The Green Market Oracle|accessdate=21 December 2012|author=Matthews, Richard |date=22 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Everybody’s Business: Consumer Goods Companies and Tropical Deforestation|url=http://blog.ucsusa.org/everybodys-business-consumer-goods-companies-and-tropical-deforestation/|publisher=Union of Concerned Scientists|accessdate=21 December 2012|author=Boucher, Doug|date=6 September 2012}}</ref> Event co-chairs Dr.[[Jane Goodall]], DBE, and Sir [[Richard Branson]] also voiced their support for this initiative. Elsewhere at the Rio+20 conference, U.S. Secretary of State [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]] noted that the U.S. “is working with…the Consumer Goods Forum to combat deforestation through sustainable supply chains.”<ref>{{cite web|title=Remarks at the U.S.-Africa Clean Energy Finance Initiative Launch|url=http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2012/06/193912.htm|publisher=U.S. State Dept.|date=22 June 2012}}</ref> Along with the public-private partnership formed by the U.S. Government as a result of the AD Partners Rio+20 meeting, the non-governmental organization, the Tropical Forest Alliance 2020 (TFA2020) was founded. The TFA2020's goal is to mobilize key private sector, governmental and civil society entities to help achieve zero net deforestation in tropical forest countries by 2020. The Consumer Goods Forum is a key member of this group.<ref>About Us. Tropical Forest Alliance 2020. http://www.tfa2020.com/ Retrieved 14 Jan 2015</ref> ==Building Support for International Forest Protection== [[File:AD Partners Rio+20 Event Panel Discussion.jpg|thumb|left|Jeff Horowitz (far left) moderated this panel of distinguished environmentalists: Sir Richard Branson, actor/conservationist Edward Norton, and Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE|243x243px]] AD Partners advocates for global forest protection policies, such as REDD+, and convenes high level international events to demonstrate support and momentum for such policies during important conferences such as the [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change]] (UNFCCC) [[Conference of the Parties (Kyoto Protocol)|Conference of the Parties]] (COP) and on Capitol Hill in the U.S. AD Partners events are used to advance forest protection strategies and as forums for special announcements that highlight key government and industry initiatives. For example, at the AD Partners’ event during COP15 in Copenhagen, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture [[Tom Vilsack]] announced the U.S.’s pledge of $1 billion, which encouraged five other nations to commit monies to REDD start-up funds, bringing the total available to $3.5 billion.<ref>{{cite web|title=News from COP15 in Copenhagen|url=http://www.whrc.org/policy/cop15_news.html|publisher=Woods Hole Research Center|accessdate=21 December 2012|author=Greenglass, Nora|date=16 December 2009}}</ref> Other speakers at the COP15 event included President of Guyana [[Bharrat Jagdeo]], World Bank President [[Robert Zoellick]], UNDP head [[Helen Clark]] (former Prime Minister of New Zealand), Governor Eduardo Braga (Amazonas State, Brazil), Sir [[Richard Branson]], Prime Minister of Norway [[Jens Stoltenberg]], and Dr. [[Jane Goodall]], DBE, as well as the heads of [[IUCN]], [[World Wildlife Fund|WWF]]-US, [[Natural Resources Defense Council|NRDC]], [[Environmental Defense Fund|EDF]], [[The Nature Conservancy|TNC]], [[Conservation International|CI]], and high level executives from [[American Electric Power]] and [[Duke Energy]].<ref>{{cite web|title="We must take advantage of low-hanging fruit solutions such as forest conservation": Interview with Jeff Horowitz|url=http://www.redd-monitor.org/2010/02/19/we-must-take-advantage-of-low-hanging-fruit-solutions-such-as-forest-conservation-interview-with-jeff-horowitz/|publisher=REDD-Monitor|author=Lang, Chris|date=19 February 2010}}</ref> [[File:Pre-meeting all speakers.jpeg|thumb|325x325px|At the 2012 UN sponsored international climate change gathering in South Africa, AD Partners hosted the high-level forest protection discussions, featuring UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and many other distinguished Government, NGO and business leaders.]] In 2010, during COP16 in Cancún, Mexico, United Nations Secretary General [[Ban Ki-moon]] was the keynote speaker at the AD Partners event. The Secretary General offered his support for the REDD+ initiative then being discussed in the negotiations.<ref>{{cite news|title=Climate: Speaking the Truth on Avoided Deforestation and Warming in Cancún|url=http://science.time.com/2010/12/09/climate-speaking-the-truth-on-avoided-deforestation-and-warming-in-cancun/#ixzz2Fn3cpzrN|publisher=Time: Science and Space|accessdate=21 December 2012|author=Walsh, Bryan|date=9 December 2010}}</ref> Walmart’s Chairman of the Board, [[Rob Walton]], announced his company’s commitment to use only sustainably-sourced palm oil in the manufacturing of its private label products by 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=World leaders: take action now to save forests|url=http://news.mongabay.com/2010/1209-adp_cancun.html|publisher=Monga Bay|accessdate=21 December 2012|author=Butler, Rhett|date=10 December 2010}}</ref> Other event highlights included comments by Norway’s Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, who announced progress in his country’s large-scale funding of forest-protection projects in Brazil and Indonesia.<ref>{{cite web|title=Norway's Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg attends the Avoided Deforestation Partners organization ...|url=http://www.youtrust.org/photos/?sourceId=88ab3cf1-f7e5-4b82-bf62-86e944bb0428&sourceSite=trust&livestream=1|accessdate=21 December 2012}}</ref> For COP17 in Durban, the AD Partners event featured a tribute to the late Nobel Peace Prize Laureate [[Wangari Maathai]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Wangari Maathai Honored at a UN Event|url=http://www.mwakilishi.com/content/articles/2011/12/08/wangari-maathai-honored-at-a-un-event.html|accessdate=21 December 2012|author=Mwakilishi|date=8 December 2011}}</ref> Event highlights included a keynote speech by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon,<ref>{{cite news|title=Secretary-General, in Remarks at Durban Side Event, Stresses Need for Partnerships to Reduce Deforestation, Promote ‘Green’ Growth|url=http://www.un.org/press/en/2011/sgsm14005.doc.htm|accessdate=25 January 2016|publisher=United Nations|date=7 December 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Secretary-General Meets UN Peace Messenger Jane Goodall in Durban|url=http://unmultimedia.org/photo/detail.jsp?id=497/497595&key=12865&query=ban&so=0&sf=date|accessdate=25 January 2016|publisher=United Nations|date=7 December 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Davis|first1=Valerie|title=Dr. Jane Goodall Headlines High-Profile Deforestation Meeting|url=http://enviromedia.com/dr-jane-goodall-headlines-high-profile-deforestation-meeting/|accessdate=25 January 2016|publisher=EnviroMedia|date=8 December 2011}}</ref> video messages from U.S. President [[Barack Obama]],<ref>{{cite web|title=COP 17 - AD Partners Forest Event: President Barack Obama - Wangari Maathai Tribute|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14Hxzcdvilg|publisher=Avoided Deforestation Partners|accessdate=21 December 2012|date=20 December 2011}}</ref> former U.S. President [[Bill Clinton]],<ref>{{cite web|title=COP17 - AD Partners Forest Event_ Former President Bill Clinton|url=http://www.firstpost.com/topic/person/wangari-maathai-cop17-ad-partners-forest-event-former-president-bill-clinton-video-XRomoyvJDbM-19290-1.html|publisher=FirstPost.|accessdate=21 December 2012}}</ref> and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who each communicated wholehearted support for the protection of international rainforests.<ref>{{cite web|title=Video Remarks to the Deforestation Partners Conference|url=http://m.state.gov/md179226.htm|publisher=U.S. State Dept.|accessdate=21 December 2012}}</ref> Liberia's President [[Ellen Johnson Sirleaf]] (who also won the Nobel Peace Prize that year) spoke through her foreign minister, Dr. Toga Gayewea McIntosh, and emphasized the urgent need for the Parties to embrace the Green Climate Fund as a critically important opportunity to help countries like Liberia meet the real challenges Africa is facing due to climate change.<ref>{{cite web|title=Foreign Minister Gayewea McIntosh Addresses the Avoided Deforestation Partners Forum in Durban|url=http://www.limany.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1740%3Aforeign-minister-gayewea-mcintosh-addresses-the-avoided-deforestation-partners-forum-in-durban&catid=71%3A2011-news&Itemid=28|publisher=Liberian Mandingo Association of NY|author=MOFA Press|date=9 December 2011}}</ref> ==U.S. Climate Legislation== [[File:AD Partners Senate Briefing John Kerry.jpeg|thumb|Senator Kerry offering data on climate change to AD Partners audience in an effort to promote a Senate Bill to protect our climate and the world’s forests.]] The [[American Clean Energy and Security Act]] passed by the House of Representatives in June 2009 set a goal of conserving the carbon trapped in forests equal to 10% of U.S. emissions, and in doing so, set aside 5% of total emissions allowance value from carbon auctions, which could bring $3–5 billion a year, to the protection of forests in developing nations. The forest provisions of the so-called Waxman-Markey bill are informed by the 14 principles which comprise the "Tropical Forest and Climate Unity Agreement," a consensus document forged by AD Partners.<ref>{{cite web|title=U.N. spotlight shines on efforts to reduce deforestation|url=http://walker-foundation.org/net/org/project.aspx?projectid=76880&p=50769|publisher=Walker Foundation|accessdate=21 December 2012|author=Petsonk, Annie|date=24 September 2009}}</ref> The Senate’s Kerry-Lieberman bill had the same broad goal for conserving forests but devoted no specific funds to stopping deforestation.<ref name="autogenerated1"/> ==Tropical Forest and Climate Unity Agreement== In May 2009, groups including the Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Duke Energy and American Electric Power signed the "Tropical Forest and Climate Unity Agreement," a set of 14 specific principles endorsing market and non-market mechanisms to protect tropical forests as part of U.S. climate policy. The agreement, signed by groups who are typically at odds with one another, was facilitated by Horowitz.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tropical Forest and Climate Unity Agreement|url=http://www.bioenergywiki.net/Tropical_Forest_and_Climate_Unity_Agreement|accessdate=21 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tropical forest alliance agrees on key principles for U.S. policy|url=http://blogs.edf.org/climatetalks/2010/03/03/tropical-forest-alliance-agrees-on-key-principles-for-u-s-policy/|publisher=Environmental Defense Fund|accessdate=21 December 2012|author=Silva Chavez, Gus|date=3 March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Jeff Horowitz: Founding Partner Avoided Deforestation Partners|url=http://cemea.economistconferences.com/content/jeff-horowitz|publisher=The Economist|accessdate=21 December 2012}}</ref> Signatories include: American Electric Power, [[Marriott International]], [[Mercy Corps]], [[National Wildlife Federation]], Natural Resources Defense Council, NorthWestern Energy, Ohio Corn Growers Association, [[PG&E]] Corporation, Republicans for Environmental Protection, [[Starbucks]] Coffee Company, [[The Walt Disney Company]], [[Union of Concerned Scientists]], and [[Virgin Group]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Strange Bedfellows Take On Deforestation Corn growers, utilities, and environmentalists find a mutual interest in rain forests|url=http://climateforest.org/strange_bedfellows.html|publisher=Tropical Forest and Climate Coalition|author=Kosterlitz, Julie|date=17 April 2010}}</ref> There are some indications (though they are not yet confirmed) that this agreement has become guidepost for the U.S. Government’s forest-climate policy. == Origins == AD Partners was founded in 2007 by a small group of forest protection activists headed by [[Jeff Horowitz]] and Dr. Charlotte Streck. As the organization evolved, Horowitz became the driving force behind its initiatives, and of the partnership it forged among an international coalition of businesses and non-profit organizations. AD Partners is an informal network of individuals who donate their time and resources to advancing U.S. and international climate and energy policies along with business solutions that include robust incentives to protect tropical forests. AD Partners convenes public and private sector leaders to inspire decision makers to implement strategies that reduce deforestation.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Us|url=http://adpartners.org/about-us/|website=www.adpartners.org|accessdate=25 January 2016}}</ref> In addition to the Founder, Jeff Horowitz, AD Partners is led by Executive Director Margaret Dick, Ph.D. Ms. Dick is responsible for communications strategy, international event coordination and implementation, and research projects.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ciponline.org/about-us/experts-staff/margaret-dick |title=Margaret Dick &#124; Experts & Staff &#124; About Us &#124; Center for International Policy |publisher=Ciponline.org |date= |accessdate=30 September 2009}}</ref> She has extensive experience in public relations and corporate communications. She holds a Ph.D. in rhetoric and communication from Purdue University and is co-author of Communication and Social Understanding (2009).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/Communication-Social-Understanding-DICK-MARGARET/dp/075756626X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345671136&sr=8-1&keywords=communication+and+social+understanding |title=Communication and Social Understanding: DICK MARGARET, RIGSBY ELLEN, SCHONFELDT-AULTMAN SCOTT M., TYWONIAK ED: 9780757566264: Amazon.com: Books |publisher=Amazon.com |date=2010-04-16 |accessdate=30 September 2013}}</ref> <nowiki>==References==</nowiki> {{reflist|colwidth=30em}} [[Category:Environmental organizations based in the United States]] [[Category:Organizations established in 2007]] [[Category:Deforestation]] [[Category:International forestry organizations]]'