Spanning six countries in the heart of Africa, the Congo Basin is home to the second largest rainforest on Earth and is renowned for its immense biodiversity. Yet, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo alone, half a million hectares of forest were lost last year. That’s three times the size of Greater London.

Political and social instability, military conflicts, and the persistent exploitation of the region’s natural resources all play a role in deforestation.

But one group of people could be the key to unlocking the solutions for a healthy rainforest, now and far into the future. The people that call the rainforest home and whose survival and livelihoods depend upon it.

The Conduit presents an evening with climate organisation Cool Earth and special guests Go Conscious Earth featuring inspirational talks from people who have witnessed first-hand the challenges faced by those who live in the rainforest and what they are doing to overcome them.

Our time to listen and act is now.

Speakers

With expertise in ecology, conservation, and rural community development, Hannah Peck leads on policy and research at Cool Earth, alongside her role as Deputy Director. She’s been at Cool Earth for a decade and has first-hand experience on how to grow a climate charity and build partnerships with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities all around the world. She also holds a PhD in Ecology-Zoology from Imperial College London.

Godi Godar was born and raised in the remote village of Ikoko Bonginda in the Lac Tumba region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Godi founded Go Conscious Earth in 2012 in response to village reports of nearby rainforest destruction. Next in line to become village chief, Godi is intimately familiar with his people and the challenges they face. His passion for rainforest conservation for the benefit of all beings lies at the center of GCEarth’s work and is an integral part of the success of long-term forest conservation.