please help

This video shows beautiful green parrots in the trees of the green belt.

I received an email from a good friend about the rampant, indiscriminate deforestation that's happening in her neighbourhood; in the name of progress and development, the area's abundant flora and fauna are in imminent danger of being completely decimated.

I am in fact very familiar with this area -- it was a popular place for families to come picnic and camp when I was a child -- and I know how rich the biodiversity there is (was). It is, for example, home to the White-bellied Sea Eagle, as well as several endangered species like the Changeable Hawk-eagle, and the critically endangered Oriental Pied Hornbill.

Over the past few years though, what was once lush forest has been taken over by a literal slew of condominiums (you'd never believe how many condominiums they've managed to pack together like sardines); there's just this pocket of forest left, the "green belt" my friend is working to save.

Of course, I don't think I need to explain to even a half-intelligent human being the importance of saving trees. In the most fundamental of terms, we need plants to survive. Trees provide oxygen (we do need that people!), improve air quality, help control climate, conserve water, and of course, house wildlife. But beyond all that -- as if it wasn't compelling enough! -- I believe we have a spiritual need for nature. Trees provide the peace, serenity and beauty that we so badly need -- as individuals, and as a society. We must preserve this, not only for us, but for our children and all future generations.

So, my friend is involved in the Greenbelt Committee that is working to save the area. They have arranged to meet with their MP to make their plea, and show, through their petition, the overwhelming support they have for their worthy cause. As it says in their brochure: "The first order of business is to sign the petition form... The more people come on board, the stronger the case for saving the woodlands and the animal and bird sanctuary it houses.

"Our MP needs to know that each and every one of us truly cares. So pass the word around and encourage others to be part of this important green initiative.

"By signing the petition, you are taking the first step in saving these woodlands for our future generations. Regardless of the final outcome, we need to know that we, at the very least, did try our best!"

In this day and age of so-called environmental awareness, it is a deplorable tragedy that this destruction is being allowed to happen. Please take a moment -- wherever you are in the world -- to sign this petition and share it with your family and friends, because this touches every single one of us.