Concrete steps to preserve forests

One third of the land area on Earth is forest, yet close to 32 million acres are destroyed each year. To appreciate this treasure and prevent further damage to the environment and climate, the UN has dedicated 2011 to the “International Year of Forests.”

World Wildlife Foundation’s Nina Grieshammer explains more.

Nina Grieshammer lives in Frankfurt, Germany and is responsible for WWF national and international forest policy and the protection of tropical forests.

Why are forests so important?

Forests store carbon but also produce oxygen that cleans the air. This is very important for a healthy climate. They provide us with wood, stabilize the soil, keep water clean and protect against floods and avalanches.

Forests also ensure biodiversity — that is, they are home to an incredible number of plants and animals, and more varieties of species are always being discovered. There are plants with medicinal effects that we would not have been able to use if those trees had been destroyed.

Many cities obtain their water from forests, which provide excellent water storage; therefore, natural forests should be in the vicinity of large cities.

Finally, forests are simply beautiful. Think about the recreational opportunities, especially for city dwellers.

Each year close to 32 million acres of forest are destroyed. Who benefits from the logging?

We have a huge wood and paper industry. There are benefits for the whole energy sector and agriculture. Where there was forest once, now there are cattle grazing, or there’s a farm producing soybean or palm oil. Palm fat, one of the products, is used in lipstick, pizza, dish detergent and chocolate bars. Consumers know very little about how many of the things they enjoy are a consequence of rain forest destruction.

Yet don’t 1.5 billion people rely on forests directly for their livelihood?

In poorer regions, people simply rely on the forest as a source of food and basic necessities. They are completely dependent on it because they have always lived in harmony with nature. If large companies cut down the forests, people move away or lose their livelihoods. For this reason we need more reserves, more wilderness areas and more forests.

How can a forest have a healthy future?

It must be as varied as possible, with native species and a mixture of young and old trees. The more tree species a forest has, the better it can adapt. When a forest consists of only one species, it can quickly become unstable. Monocultures are more susceptible to pests. A highly structured, mixed forest can buffer these risks. This applies to the Northern Hemisphere as well as the tropics.

Do countries need to change policy for the benefit of forests?

In 2007 the international community agreed that the protection of forests should be included in a UN climate agreement. In fact, the UN climate change conference in Cancun in 2010 confirmed that keeping the global temperature well below 35 degrees Fahrenheit can be achieved only if deforestation is stopped, especially in the tropics.

But the devil is in the details. It is important to develop the right standards and methods to ensure that CO2 is reduced, that biodiversity is secured and that the rights of small farmers and indigenous peoples are preserved.

It would be a huge step if our authorities and companies would procure only sustainable wood and paper products, and if we as consumers make a similar statement with our purchasing decisions.

How can we contribute?

Here are some simple tips. How many documents do you print that remain unread and end up in the trash? How often do you use a paper towel when a hand towel would do? How often do you have coffee in a paper cup?

Lately, our consumption has increased significantly; we consume an average of 550 pounds of paper per person per year. There are many ways to cut back in everyday life.

Another thing is to consider the products we are buying. There are now excellent hygiene products made from recycled materials. They are not as harsh as before, and paper is not the gray that no one liked. Today recycled paper is so good that most people don’t recognize the difference.

The World Wildlife Fund lobbies for conservation in the political sphere. What is it promoting at this point?

In many countries there are conservation projects because we need regions where nature is not disturbed. There are national parks where the management needs improvement. We have wildlife projects in Indonesia where the paper and palm oil industries have destroyed forests, reducing the natural habitat of elephants and tigers.

What are the results from having an International Year of Forests?

First, there is a greater awareness of the treasure that lies in forests and how protecting forests can positively affect our lifestyle. Who would have thought that products such as paper towels, shoes and lipstick have something to do with deforestation? There is also awareness of the need for change in government policies, as well as funding and international agreements regarding forest conservation.

By Clemens Behr

http://www.livingcitymagazine.com/