International Day of Forest with the theme 'Celebrate our Forest' will
be marked on 21st of March, this year.
This global celebration of forests provides
a platform to raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests and of
trees outside forests.
Forests cover one third of the Earth's land
mass, performing vital functions around the world. Around 1.6 billion people -
including more than 2,000 indigenous cultures - depend on forests for their
livelihood.
Forests are the most biologically-diverse
ecosystems on land, home to more than 80% of the terrestrial species of
animals, plants and insects. Forests also provide shelter, jobs and security
for forest-dependent communities.
They play a key role in our battle in
adapting to and mitigating climate change. Forests contribute to the balance of
oxygen, carbon dioxide and humidity in the air. They protect watersheds, which
supply 75% of freshwater worldwide.
Yet despite all of these priceless
ecological, economic, social and health benefits, we are destroying the very
forests we need to survive. Global deforestation continues at an alarming rate
- 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed annually.
Deforestation accounts for 12 to 20 percent
of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
Some pics from International day Forest celebration in Fiji.
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| Students from Gospel High visiting SPC booth during International Day of Forest celebration in Fiji. |
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| Vieuto Primary School students skim through SPC publications on IDF in Suva, Fiji. |
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