Once distributed over half the earth, forests – literally the 'lungs' of the world – now cover only a quarter of the planet's land surface. Trees and plants are essential to a stable environment. They help remove carbon dioxide gas from the air by storing it in their leaves, wood, roots and soil. So when forests and plants are cut down and burnt or left to rot – and are not replaced – , this carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere where it contributes to climate change.
Forests also provide an amazing array of resources that you may well be making use of in your home and life: timber for furniture, wood pulp for paper products and medicinal plants.
Today, almost all forests are now under threat from urban development, illegal logging, land conversion to agriculture use, road building and mining. We are losing them at a rate of 375km squared a day – an area the size of Greece each year.
Across the world there are increasing examples of what can happen when
we remove forests. Water tables fall, land becomes more prone to drought,
landslides and flash floods destroy roads, bridges and crops.
Deforestation is also causing the loss of livelihoods for some
1.6 billion people worldwide, loss of possible future cures for diseases
and loss of a significant counter to our rising carbon emissions.
Try to recycle your waste paper. Buy wood products sourced from sustainable forests, such as those certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). FSC like other sustainable forest programmes promote responsible management of the world’s forests. Forests are inspected and certified against environmental, social and economic factors.
And – make a pledge as part of the Race for a Living Planet!
More about forests
See www.fsc.org for more information.