Cool Earth exists because the world is in a climate crisis. To combat it, we must protect the most efficient carbon-storing technology: rainforest. How? By backing, supporting and listening to Indigenous peoples and local communities, who have lived in and stewarded rainforest for millennia.In 2022, 4.1 million hectares of rainforest were destroyed with over 60% of this deforestation occurring in the Amazon Basin. Globally 1.6 billion people rely on rainforests for their livelihoods, and the planet relies on rainforests for crucial climate change mitigation.Indigenous peoples and local communities have lived in balance with and stewarded rainforest for millennia. Now they face oppression, exploitation, poverty and are at the forefront of unprecedented effects of climate breakdown.We believe that supporting, recognising and respecting the rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities who live in rainforest is essential in fighting the climate crisis. Cash generation projects ease financial hardship. Projects that support people such as income generation, food security and education help stop the pressure to sell rainforest as a last resort for much-needed cash. When rainforest communities are backed with cash, up to three times more forest is protected.