FOREST-CLIMATE CONNECT

Solution Stories to Save Our Planet

Globally, forests are disappearing at an alarming rate—one acre every second—primarily to make way for expansive, low-cost farmland for mass production of commodities like beef, soy, palm oil, and timber, often resulting in barren wastelands.

THE STATE OF OUR FORESTS

With half the world’s forests gone stopping deforestation is more urgent than ever!

Once spanning vast expanses of our planet, our forests now stand at a critical junction. Alarming evidence points to the loss of half of Earth’s forests -- a devastating development with the majority of that loss occurring in just the past 150 years. This rapid decline is fueled by an insatiable demand for commodities like beef, soy, palm oil, and wood products, due to the clearing of tropical forests for agricultural land. Deforestation strips away biodiversity, the habitats of countless species, the ability to produce clean water, food and medicines. And as devastating, deforestation puts billions of tons of greenhouse gases into our atmosphere, constituting about 17% of all annual global carbon emissions. To put this into perspective, this environmental catastrophe contributes more to the climate crisis than all the cars, trucks, ships and planes in the world combined. The clock is ticking with every passing second, and with each acre lost, our battle against climate change becomes even more daunting.

  • Massive carbon emissions

  • Opening door to development

  • Creating “climate refugees”

  • Tragic loss of biodiverse forest

In locations such as the Amazon, Congo Basin, Borneo and Sumatra, ecologically diverse forests that have existed for thousands of years are being systematically destroyed, posing a risk to 1.6 billion people who depend on forests for their livelihoods, millions of plant and animals species, ¾ of the world’s drinking water and over 25% of all western medicines.

OUR MISSION

Championing Solutions to Save our Planet

Forest Climate-Connect (FCC) is committed to advancing forest and climate protection initiatives. Our focus is to elevate public awareness about the vital link between ending deforestation, reviving lost forests, and advocating for the development of new ecosystems to counteract the climate crisis. We leverage the power of films and media to inspire actions across society. Our efforts aim to drive worldwide engagement and commitment, helping to ensure that proven strategies gain broad adoption to protect our planet and secure the welfare of future generations.

OUR BODY OF WORK

A wide array of media initiatives dedicated to the restoration of our natural world

Our aim is to craft messages that engage a wide audience and prompt action. Showcasing the current status of our world's forests and climate, we draw people in with stories that hopefully capture the heart and imagination, all done with exquisite imagery. Our goal is to inspire a spirit of hope, highlighting actionable solutions – and highlighting the great potential impact of individual efforts. We believe that every person has the capacity to effect change, shaping a better world with each decision they make, every day.

I. MESSAGES FROM JANE

A series of inspirational, short format films featuring Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, our longtime partner who has risen to become one of the world’s foremost champions for protecting nature and our climate. All films in this category were produced by FCC founder Jeff Horowitz, in partnership with Mia Sorenson.

2021 - Jane with Jimmy Fallon - talk about protecting nature after previewing clip from “A Trillion Trees.”

2019 - “Of Faith & Forests” - created for UN representatives in partnership with the Vatican. Goal to engage religious leaders to help in the fight to save nature.

2021 - “A Trillion Trees” - in support of plan launched by the United Nations and World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland

2018 - “The Forgotten Solution” - actor Alec Baldwin joins Jane in message about protection being 1/3 of the climate solution.

2024 - “Jane’s Birthday Wish: VOTE!” (currently in production)

2016 - “Stop the Burning” - 30 representatives from Government, Business and Civil Society urge the world to protect forests. Narrated by Jane.

 II. MAJOR TV & FILM PROJECTS

Adding value by joining movie and television teams engaged in producing high-profile media projects including; the TV series, Years of Living Dangerously (YLD), aired on Showtime and then the National Geographic Channel, (the series went on to win the 2014 Emmy Award for best documentary series).  And a climate change feature film, Time to choose, written and directed by Academy Award winning filmmaker Charles Ferguson, with actor Oscar Isaac as narrator. For these exciting projects, FCC founder, Jeff Horowitz served in senior level producer roles in addition to recruiting high-profile personalities.

 YEARS OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY - TELEVISION SERIES

On stage at the Nokia Theater in LA, members of the YLD team, receiving the 2014 Emmy Award for Best Documentary Series

Ford suits up to take controls in NASA fighter jet – his mission as co-pilot; to collect carbon samples over California’s Central Valley. 

TRAILER “Years of Living Dangerously” 9-part television series aired on SHOWTIME and then the Nat Geo Channel.

Ford on location in Sumatra, Indonesia at an orangutan sanctuary. Deforestation kills and or displaces, thousands of orangutans every year. 

YLD team (partial), L-R, Co-Executive Producer Solly Granatstein, Executive Producer, James Cameron, Co-Producers Jeff Horowitz & Lucian Read

2014 – Season 1: “YEARS OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY” – featuring Harrison Ford

At food processing plant in Sunnyvale, CA, Unilever Sustainability Officer reviews efforts being made to buy palm oil from deforestation-free sources.

2016 – Season 2: “YEARS OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY” – featuring Gisele Bündchen

Gisele meets with Paulo Adario of Greenpeace, who has been tracking deforestation for decades – he has seen it all! 

TIME TO CHOOSE - we have the knowledge and the tools to solve the climate crisis NOW!

From the air, the picture is incredibly bleak -- thousands of square miles of old grow forests gone! 

This well research, substantive movie, focuses on the many climate areas of concern, including forest destruction. 

Gisele is determined to sound the alarm about the shocking extent to which deforestation has eroded her country’s majestic forests.

2016 – “TIME TO CHOOSE” – A Charles Ferguson film, narrated by Oscar Isaacs

Academy award winning Director Charles Ferguson behind the camera. 

III. SPECIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS

Short video messages produced under the auspices of Avoided Deforestation Partners, (ADP), a non-profit initiative (also founded by Jeff Horowitz). ADP preceded Forest-Climate Connect (FCC) in its broader mission to advance U.S. and international forest and climate protection policy. ADP also produced movie messages aimed at stopping forest destruction. 

2021 - “Trees for Jane” - an international grassroots tree saving, restoring & planting campaign inspired by Dr. Goodall. 

Introducing the concept of a “deforestation-free” seal or label

2012 - Consumer Goods Forum pledge - 400 companies commit to do all they can to make their supply chains deforestation-free

2012 – Deforestation-free campaign -- connecting deforestation to everyday commodities. 

2010 Forest-Climate message featuring Noble Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai 

The campaign identifies consumer supply chains that must be changed to reduce deforestation.