The need to understand the values that reside in forests arises from the estimated rates of loss of forest area and, hence, in biological diversity.
Forests worldwide are known to be critically important habitats in terms of the biological diversity they contain and in terms of the ecological functions they serve.
The equivalent to 1 football pitch of forest is lost every second. Annually, WWF estimates that around 8 million hectares of forest are lost, and as a result, 17% of the Amazonian forest has been lost over the last 50 years.
And it’s not only trees – plants, animals, and insect species are disappearing every day at an alarming speed, which can mean the loss of 10,000 – 100,000 species/year, putting the Earth’s balance at risk.
The theme of the International Day of Forests for 2021 is “Forest restoration: a path to recovery and well-being.”
The restoration of forests can help in addressing the issues related to climate change and biodiversity.
It also carries the potential to produce goods and services for sustainable development, fostering an economic activity that creates jobs and improves lives.
You must know that:
– it takes about 12 trees to make one ton of newsprint paper
– it takes about 24 trees to make one ton of printer paper
While all of that is necessary to know and understand, here are some remarkable ways to help save our forests:
Recycle Where You Can
Tree products such as wood, paper, and plastics can be recycled or reused. For example, you can use broken doors to make small desks or other wood appliances. We are also very fortunate to be living in a digital era so we can actively avoid using too much paper. Instead of dumping plastic products, you can ensure that they find their way into recycling bins. If we recycle and reuse more, we reduce the dependence on our trees and our environment.
-Don’t purchase exotic or endangered wildlife species, including plants and animals.
-Don’t purchase fur, ivory, or other body parts that require the killing of wildlife.
-Join or support campaigns and causes that help educate others about the consequences.
-Help enforce the law by reporting vendors of exotic pets and illegal wildlife products
Don’t Use The Printer and other electronic devices
The less you print, the less paper is used. Trees are cut down for paper. Therefore, the less you print, the fewer trees are cut down. In the long run, this could really add up to a lot of saved trees.
Use Double-sided Paper
If you need to print, then print on both sides of the page. This will cut down the paper consumption by half, which saves half the number of trees in a forest.
Use Tree-Free Products
Tree-free alternatives to traditional paper or wood products are becoming more and more popular. Bamboo products, in particular, are rising to prominence. Bamboo paper towels, toothbrushes, toilet paper, and more have become modern green staples.
Go Digital With Your Bills
In the same way, printing less causes less of a demand for paper; getting your bills through e-mail instead of a printed copy in the mail will decrease the demand for paper.
Support Conservation Organizations
Sometimes you can’t directly protect trees. Luckily, there are plenty of organizations out there that help support the world’s forests.
Though plants provide us with unmeasured ecological, economic, social, and health benefits, still global deforestation continues at an alarming rate. Therefore, it becomes necessary for everyone to act in a responsible way and spread consciousness about the importance of saving Forests on global Forests Day 2021.