International Day of Forests #IntlForestDay

21 March 2020

Since 2013, each year, various 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

Countries are encouraged to undertake efforts to organise…

• local, national, and international activities involving forests and trees, such as…

• tree planting campaigns, on International Day of Forests.

Each year more than 13 million hectares (32 million acres) of forests are lost, an area roughly the size of England.

Today, forests cover more than 30% of the world's land and contain more than 60,000 tree species, many as of yet unidentified.

Forests provide…

• food,

• fiber,

• water and

• medicines

…for approximately 1.6 billion of the world's poorest people, including indigenous peoples with unique cultures.

When we…

• drink a glass of water,

• write in a notebook,

• take medicine for a fever or

• build a house,

…we don’t always make the connection with forests.

However, these and many other aspects of our lives are linked to forests in one way or another.

Forests, are key to combating climate change, and to contributing to the prosperity and well-being of current and future generations.

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

Yet, sadly despite all of these priceless ecological, economic, social and health benefits, global deforestation continues at an alarming rate.