Return to the forest law .. Destroys the human lungs of the world that breathes
Have you ever wondered how you can preserve the forest?Just enter changes to the method of simple living. Forests play multiple roles in our lives, including the provision of food, medicine and clean air, and a haven for many species. Due to the high levels of pollution, forests are described as «the lungs of the world». It is estimated that the disappearance and degradation are responsible for about 20 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, which are absorbed by forests, if managed carefully.
Means deforestation reduced its cover, which is reflected in the loss of trees, especially through parts of trafficking Bkhcbha or by fire. But it is possible the exploitation of forests in a responsible manner to maintain its existence. The decline refers to the loss of forest quality, and can be monitored indicators to monitor the steadfastness of their ecosystem, such as vegetation, soil, plant and animal species that live there.
The reasons for the deterioration of forest fuel wood collection and the invasion of insects and pests.
Forests provide many of the important natural resources, such as timber, fuel, paper, rubber and medicinal plants. And help maintain the quality and availability of fresh water. Comes more than three-quarters of the available freshwater in the world of the watershed covered by forests. And reduced water quality as a result of forest degradation and deforestation, and become natural disasters such as floods, landslides and soil erosion impact reported.
It is now known that forests play a major role in our battle against climate change, store and absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and held in their biomass. But what is not known very well that the products and services provided by forests are needed in all aspects of life. Fbtnzim water in many rivers of the world, help ensure the quality and supply about half the world's major cities. It also helps in alleviating the effects of storms, floods and reducing soil erosion. And forest ecosystems are the most biologically diverse land, as home to more than half of the terrestrial species.They provide shelter, security and the livelihoods of some 60 million indigenous people, and contribute to the livelihood of about 1.6 billion people around the world.
The influences of forest to wider areas. In many developing countries, which derives more than 80 percent of the total energy consumed by people and industry, such as firewood and charcoal. The estimated value of world trade in timber and other forest products by about $ 330 billion annually. And multiply its value when converted to a wide variety of products used every day. And exploit the genetic diversity within the forest for the development of new drugs and advances in health care and science.
Forests cover about 31 percent of the total land area of the world, and supports 80 percent of terrestrial biodiversity. And is home to many endangered animals and extinction, making it necessary to support ecosystems. And not only the animals live in forests, as they also provide shelter for more than 300 million people around the world.
In addition to supporting the natural habitat, forests support economic growth. In 2004, the estimated value of forest products trade by about 327 billion dollars.Therefore, the continuing deforestation and uncontrolled results will not only destructive to the environment, wildlife and local communities, but also to economies around the world.
Before the terrible loss of about 140 thousand square kilometers of natural forests each year, was selected for World Environment Day this year the slogan «Forests: Nature at your service», to encourage forest protection and consumption sustainable for the growth of green, and in support of the initiative «International Year of Forests» launched by the United Nations, so that to maintain the world's forests in our collective conscience Vnger patterns of our lives in line with this objective.
What are we doing?
In September 2008, the United Nations launched a collaborative initiative entitled «to reduce emissions from deforestation and degradation» (REDD), to help developing countries in the preparation of a national strategy in this area, based on the capabilities and expertise of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Development Programme and United Nations Environment Programme. The program now has 29 partner countries in Africa and Asia / Pacific and South America , which is one of the cheapest means to stabilize the concentration of emissions of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to avoid the high rate of global temperature degrees Celsius.
What do we do to preserve the forests? Governments should develop and implement policies that promote sustainable exploitation of forests, and protect the areas inhabited by endangered species, and to encourage the restoration of depleted forests.
The companies have an opportunity to invest in smart new green economy, to adopt a pragmatic position about the socially responsible consumers who deal with them. For example, can ensure the purchase of forest products are subject to sustainable management, such as those certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
In the expanded civil society that plays an essential role to monitor all parties concerned and to raise awareness about the forest and support grassroots initiatives.Like private companies, individuals can make smart choices, not only buying forest products coming from sustainable sources, including furniture and wood and paper, such as those marked with the Forest Stewardship Council.
Most importantly, work to protect forests requires a sustained commitment to a new way of living takes into account the protection of forests in our actions and our choices.
Facts and figures on forests: their wealth, their services, population:
- The total area of forests in the world's 4 billion hectares (40 million square kilometers) or about 31 percent of the total land area. The average forest area per capita of the world's 0.62 hectares.
- Includes the Russian Federation Brazil Canada United States China
- Disappears each year around 140 thousand square kilometers of the world's forests, but net loss slowing down thanks to afforestation and natural expansion of existing forests. Forestry is the investment rate of 28 thousand square kilometers per year.
- Forests are home to 300 million people around the world, and more reliable than 1.6 billion people in varying degrees in their lives, such as access to firewood and medicinal plants and foodstuffs. And natural products are the only source of medication 75 to 90 percent of the population of developing countries.
- The total value added of the forestry sector, 468 billion dollars (2006). The total value of world trade in timber products the initial $ 189 billion (2009).
- Forests provide environmental services, such as biodiversity conservation and water protection, soil and climate regulation. The causes of deforestation in up to 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.
- Energy is generated from wood about 7 to 9 percent of the energy consumed globally, and up to 97 percent in some developing countries. Fuel wood accounts for about 60 percent of global consumption of forest products.
- Mangrove forests that cover about 150 square kilometers around the world are essential to the life cycles of most types of commercial fish.
- Availability of forest land and coastal habitats to about two thirds of all living species on Earth.
- The demise of tropical rain forests causes loss of about 100 species of organisms in the day.
