International Day of Forests 2018

 

Forests cover one third of the Earth's land mass, performing vital functions around the world. Around 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihoods, medicines, fuel, food and shelter. Forests are the most biologically-diverse ecosystems on land. They are also home to more than 80% of the terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects. Even though they provide a myriad of priceless ecological, economic, social and health benefits, global deforestation continues at an alarmingly fast rate - 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed annually. Deforestation accounts for 12 to 20 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

Today International Day of Forests is celebrated all over the world. It is an annual occurrence and a particularly important environmental day. It not only helps to raise awareness of the importance of forests to people, but also their vital role in poverty eradication, environmental sustainability and food security. Sustainable management of all types of forests are at the heart of unlocking challenges of conflict-affected, developing and developed countries, for the benefit of current and future generations.

2018 Theme: Forests and Sustainable Cities

This year the UN has provided the platform to raise awareness of the importance of all types of woodlands and trees, and celebrate the ways in which they sustain and protect us.

Key Messages that they want to convey are:

·         Forests and trees store carbon, which helps mitigate the impacts of climate change in and around urban areas.

·         Trees also improve the local climate, helping to save energy used for heating by 20-50 percent.

·         Strategic placement of trees in urban areas can cool the air by up to 8 degrees Celsius, reducing air conditioning needs by 30 percent.

·         Urban trees are excellent air filters, removing harmful pollutants in the air and fine particulates.

·         Trees reduce noise pollution, as they shield homes from nearby roads and industrial areas.

·         Local populations use the fruits, nuts, leaves and insects found in urban trees to produce food and medicines for use in the home, or as a source of income.

·         Wood fuel sourced from urban trees and planted forests on the outskirts of cities provides renewable energy for cooking and heating, which reduces pressures on natural forests and our reliance on fossil fuels.

·         Forests in and around urban areas help to filter and regulate water, contributing to high-quality freshwater supplies for hundreds of millions of people. Forests also protect watersheds and prevent flooding as they store water in their branches and soil.

·         Well-managed forests and trees in and around cities provide habitats, food and protection for many plants and animals, helping to maintain and increase biodiversity.

·         Forests in cities and surrounding areas generate tourism, create tens of thousands of jobs and encourage city beautification schemes, building dynamic, energetic and prosperous green economies.

·         Urban green spaces, including forests, encourage active and healthy lifestyles, improve mental health, prevent disease, and provide a place for people to socialize.

How you can partake in the day:

·         Watch and share the International Day of Forests video 2018 (please see video below).

·         Take part in the International Day of Forests 2018 photo contest by sharing a photo of that special tree or that special forest in your city.

·         Organize or join events celebrating forests – tree plantings, symposiums, art exhibitions, or a photo competition.

·         Use the #IntlForestDay hashtag on social media.

Read the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations’ report on the state of the world’s forests here: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5588e.pdf

Why do you think forests matter? Follow the link to find why forests are important: https://www.unenvironment.org/explore-topics/forests/why-do-forests-matter

How much do you really know about forests and cities? Follow the link to the FAO’s quiz to find out: http://www.fao.org/zhc/detail-events/en/c/1107093/.

References

http://www.un.org/en/events/forestsday/background.shtml

http://www.un.org/en/events/forestsday/

International Day of Forests

The International Day of Forests is held on 21 March every year. The United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/67/200 on 21 December 2012, declaring that 21 March of each year is to be observed as the International Day of Forests. The secretariat of the United Nations Forum on Forests, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, are responsible to facilitate the implementation of the International Day of Forests, in collaboration with Governments, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests and international, regional and sub-regional organizations.

It is an important day on the environmental calendar due to the fact that it raises awareness about the importance of forests. It provides a platform to raise awareness of the importance of all types of woodlands and trees. It’s also about celebrating the ways in which they sustain and protect us. Countries are encouraged to undertake local, national, and international efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns.

Different events celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests, and trees outside forests, for the benefit of current and future generations. Forests provide priceless ecological, economic, social and health benefits as well as play a critical role in environmental sustainability, food security, and poverty eradication.

2017 Theme

The theme of International Day of Forests is decided by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests. This year’s theme is Forests and Energy. This year, the focus is placed on the importance of wood energy in improving people's lives, powering sustainable development, and mitigating climate change.

Undeniably, wood is a major renewable energy source. It provides the world with more energy than solar, hydroelectric or wind power, accounting for approximately 45 percent of current global renewable energy supply (27 percent of total primary energy supply in Africa, 13 percent in Latin America and the Caribbean and 5 percent in Asia and Oceania).

Quick facts about forests

Source: Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement

·         The state of our forests is important to us all here on earth for many reasons – 80% of all terrestrial biodiversity lives in forests, and each year many species go extinct as a result of them being destroyed.

·         Forests cover 30% of land, but 3 million hectares are lost per year.

·         Trees are Nature’s air conditioners – 1 young healthy tree can cool just like 10 air conditioners running 20 hrs a day.

·         More than 2 billion people, including more than 2,000 indigenous cultures, depend on forests for their livelihoods, and use it to cook food, boil water, and stay warm

·         Almost 900 million people, generally in developing countries, are engaged in the wood-energy sector on a part- or full-time basis.  

·         Forests equal energy – 90% of fuelwood and charcoal use takes place in developing countries

·         Sustainably managed forests can supply renewable, CO2 neutral energy

·         Forests cover one third of the Earth's land mass.

·         They perform vital functions around the world.

·         Forests are the most biologically-diverse ecosystems on land, home to more than 80% of the terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects.

·         Global deforestation continues at an alarming rate - 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed annually.

·         Deforestation accounts for 12 to 20 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

·         Strategically placed trees in urban areas can cool the air by between 2 to 8 degrees C.

 

Source: Forest Foundation

People can participate in events such as: include tree-planting and other community-level events, and national celebrations including art, photo and film and, importantly, social media outreach.

References

http://www.fao.org/international-day-of-forests/en/

https://www.unece.org/index.php?id=43229#/

http://www.un.org/en/events/forestsday/background.shtml

http://www.un.org/en/events/forestsday/

http://www.fao.org/international-day-of-forests/key-messages/en/

https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-day-of-forests/

http://www.un.org/esa/forests/outreach/international-day-of-forests/

Facts about Fantastic Forests

Here are a few interesting facts about forests:

·       Forests cover about one third of the world’s land mass.

·       Forests provide an array of ecological, economic, social and health benefits and are essential for meeting people’s needs.

·       Forests act as natural water filters.

·       Forests are the most biologically-diverse ecosystems on land, home to more than 80% of the terrestrial species of animals, plants, and insects.

·       They provide shelter, jobs, and security for forest-dependent communities. Around 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihood, food, fiber, water, fuel, shelter, and income.

·       It provides clean air and water and regulate the climate. Contributing to the balance of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and humidity in the air.

·       They help to tackle climate change.

·       Deforestation continues at an alarming rate - 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed annually, an area roughly the size of England.

·       Deforestation accounts for 12 to 20 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

·       Forested watersheds and wetlands supply 75 percent of the world’s accessible freshwater

·        Healthy forests are critical for building resilience—the ability to bounce back from storms and other natural disasters.

·       Deforestation accounts for 12 to 20 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.

·       Forests minimize soil erosion on site, reduce sediment in water bodies and trap or filter water pollutants in the forest litter.

 

References:

http://www.un.org/en/events/forestsday/

http://www.un.org/esa/forests/outreach/international-day-of-forests/2016-celebration/index.html

http://www.un.org/esa/forests/news/2015/03/forests-essential-for-meeting-peoples-needs-and-tackling-climate-change/index.html

https://globaldimension.org.uk/calendar/event/7137

Forest-related Quotes

In honour of celebrating International Day of Forests, here are a few important forest-related quotes:

 

 

 

International Day of Forests

Today International Day of Forests is celebrated all over the world. This year’s theme is “Forests and Water”. It is celebrated globally to raise awareness about the importance of all forests not only for current generations but also for future generations’ benefit. It also places a spotlight on deforestation and how it can effectively be dealt with.



Source: Discover the Forest Organisation

Forests cover one third of the Earth's land mass which comprise vital functions globally. Forests play an important role in sustaining and protecting us; they are the lungs of our planet; they are essential for life and survival providing valuable goods and services; and are important in supplying freshwater for our planet.



Source: WWF International

Here is a short video about this important day:

Please follow the following link to participate in a quiz to find out how much you truly know about forests: http://www.fao.org/zhc/detail-events/en/c/280085/