In order to combat climate change, it is necessary to follow the sustainable management of forests along with the judicious use of their resources which are critical to preventing climate change. This will help in the prosperity and well-being of present and future generations.
The forests influence human lives in many ways, to enumerate some of these are that Forests act as natural filters, providing clean air and water, and are havens of biological diversity. Forests not only help regulate our climate by influencing rainfall patterns, cooling urban areas and absorbing one-third of greenhouse gas emissions, they also provide many communities with livelihoods, medicines, sustenance and refuge. Forests are home to about 80 percent of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity, with more than 60,000 tree species. Almost 1.6 billion people around the world depend directly on forests for their shelter, food, energy, medicines and income. Wood acquired from the trees helps provide millions of people with safe and clean drinking water and cook bacteria-free food. Wood also helps build shelter and build countless furniture and utensils. It can also support the development and enhancement of the communities, as it can build skyscrapers and replace plastic to create new fibers for our clothes, which are more environment-friendly. It can also help us heal and find new cures through nanotechnology.
While Wood is a renewable resource, it is vital to consume and produce wood in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way.
Forests play a crucial role in poverty alleviation and in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite these priceless environmental, economic, social, and health benefits, global deforestation continues at an alarming rate. Healthy forests are essential for people and the planet and yet the world is losing 10 million hectares of forest each year, which is almost about the size of Iceland. The UN agency on climate change, IPCC, revealed the deadly consequences of climate change across the world in the coming decades.
It becomes acutely significant to encourage the society to save the forests and leaders should also muster the political will to address one of the most pressing challenges of our times by at least increasing the green cover at a time when the loss of agricultural land is occurring 30-35 times faster than previously estimated. The government should encourage citizens to carry out activities such as tree-planting campaigns at all levels. These activities are carried out in conjunction with governments and other organisations. United Nations Forum on Forests and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations also plays important role for Sustainable Production of forests.
The Governments should honour such activists who promote awareness about the value of all types of forests.
Let all of us pledge for sustainable management and saving of forests along with the judicious use of their resources.
