We Need Our Forests

Throughout history, forests have been a resource of water, game, fuel, and timber for all.

Millions of people still live and depend on forests for their livelihood.

Forest plants are vital to maintaining global food production.

Forest industries make a major contribution to world trade and economic growth.

Forests play a key role in protecting the global environment.

Global forests in crisis

Boreal forests of the North cover a greater area than tropical forests and absorb one sixth of total carbon emissions. They are being extensively damaged by subsidised commercial logging.

The temperate forests of North and South are being damaged by industrial pollution, droughts, fires, and nutrient stress. It is estimated that 22% of European temperate forest is defoliated by more than a quarter.

The tropical forests of the Southern hemisphere are disappearing at a rate of 15 million hectares a year due to population pressure, conversion to agricultural land, mining, and industrial development.

Global forest destruction exacerbated by inappropriate government policies is causing a host of problems that have an impact on both human welfare and the environment.

• Shortages of forest foods and fuelwood create social hardship for the poor
• Burning of forests is contributing to global warming
• Erosion and loss of soil fertility leads to poor crops
• Biotic impoverishment of plant, fish, and wildlife causes malnutrition and poor health

Restoration of global forests is vital to maintaining the biosphere as a human habitat.