British designer Vivienne Westwood is no newbie to advocating for climate change action, but now she’s added another cause to her list: Deforestation.

Partnering with Anvil Knitwear, Westwood has just launched a limited edition t-shirt to support the efforts of rainforest nations to stop deforestation.

Can big name designers effect environmental change? Westwood is wasting no time finding out.

Deforestation accounts for approximately 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and with much of the world intently following the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, raising awareness around the issue is crucial.

Westwood is doing so through a simple and fashionable message.:ACT FAST/SLOW DOWN and stop climate change.

“We must all commit ourselves and say YES to the Rainforest,” says Westwood.

The Coalition for Rainforest Nations is currently working on getting the UN to implement its REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) mechanism. The mechanism would issue carbon credits for each hectare of living rainforest. The credits could be traded on the global commodity market to countries that need to reduce their emissions at low cost. As a benefit, the proceeds would go to poor landowners in rainforest nations who have no other economically viable option other than logging their trees.

Along with promoting a great cause, Westwood’s t-shirt is made with a blend of recycled polyester and cotton and features eco-friendly printing. Anvil deems the cotton “transitional,” as it comes from farms that are converting to organic farming methods, a process that takes up to three years. Anvil’s commitment to practicing more sustainable farming methods has a significant impact; in 2008 the company was ranked the sixth largest organic program and the largest domestic purchaser of US grown certified organic cotton.

No word yet on where you can buy the t-shirts, so keep an eye out on Westwood’s online store as well as Anvil’s site.

Photo credits: Strawberry Earth, Threat to Democracy

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