Practical solutions are ‘key’, he says.

Neil Parish, the MP for Tiverton and Honiton, was one of four panellists taking questions and discussing how Britain can take the lead on protecting the Rainforests and biodiversity at this year’s Climate Clinic.

The meeting was chaired by the veteran environment correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, Geoffrey Lean.

The Climate Clinic is a forum where politicians, experts and the public debate issues, spotlight solutions and call for action and political leadership.

The Climate Clinic coalition includes over 20 world leading environment and development organisations, think tanks, public bodies and professional associations.

Mr Parish was joined by Mark Avery of the RSPB, David Nussbaum of the World Wildlife Fund AND Stanley Johnson, Former Member of the European Parliament and environmental activists, to discuss these crucial issues.

The panellists were asked to discuss the how the UK can play a leadership role through promoting and supporting rainforest protection projects, encouraging safeguards and benefits for biodiversity and how developed nations need to change their patterns of consumption to limit and reverse the damage caused by unsustainable agricultural practices.

Each year the world is losing an area of forest of equivalent to the size of England. At the same time forests provide crucial natural processes and ecological services which underpin the vitality of both people and planet. Forests are threatened not only by destruction but also from pollution, over exploitation and a changing climate.

Speaking at the event Mr Parish said: “Politicians have to be very careful. We have to have practical solutions. Sympathy alone is not enough. The money must go to the projects where it will be of most use. It is not a matter of throwing money at the problem and hoping for the best.

“However, there are practical steps we can take to stop deforestation. Buying responsibly sourced products can prevent the negative impact that our consumption has on the environment. We need also to increase our own agricultural productivity if we are to feed our growing population without further degradation of the environment.”