Many people are concerned since forests around the world are disappearing quickly.
The disappearance of this natural resource could be catastrophic for the environment.
Most of us don’t know what we can do to stop this.
Fighting global warming and climate change should start with protecting the world’s forests.
Life on the planet depends on forests. They are the primary source of food, shelter, fuel, and income for 1.6 billion people.
A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people. ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt
Some people have dedicated their time and resources to the conservation of our forests because they offer a wide range of environmental, social, and economic benefits that enhance our quality of life.
Learn more about these recognized forest conservation organizations dedicated to forest protection by reading on.
But before we get started, let’s look at some arguments for why we should protect our forest.
Table of Contents
Why We Should Conserve Forests?
Source: Forest conservation needs more effort – YourCommonwealth
The importance of forests cannot be underestimated.
Our ability to survive depends on forests, from the oxygen we breathe to the wood we use.
Forests offer more than just a habitat for animals and a means of subsistence for people.
They also protect watersheds, stop soil erosion, and lessen the effects of climate change.
However, despite our reliance on trees, we continue to let them perish.
The following are some of the reasons why we should conserve forest
- Forests create Oxygen
- Forests filter the Air and Reduce Pollution
- Forests help provide Food Security
- Forests aid in limiting Climate Change
- Forests play a significant role in the Water Cycle.
- Crops are shielded from Wind by Forests
- Forests Reduce Soil Erosion
- Medicine is found in Forests.
- Forests promote Biodiversity
- Forests are essential to people
1. Forests create Oxygen
Without protecting our forests, we put both our own lives and the life of everything else that depends on oxygen in peril.
About 6% of the oxygen produced by photosynthesis is produced by the Amazon rainforest alone.
2. Forests filter the Air and Reduce Pollution
In addition to producing oxygen from carbon dioxide, trees also act as natural filters. Carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide are all removed.
The preservation of forests can help to significantly lower global air pollution.
3. Forests help provide Food Security
In addition to the nuts, berries, fruits, mushrooms, and seeds that we consume as humans, the forest is home to a vast array of other animals whose nourishment we also rely on.
These species would perish without forests, leaving mankind with very few options.
4. Forests aid in limiting Climate Change
One of the greenhouse gases responsible for climate change is carbon dioxide. The amount discharged into the atmosphere is lessened by trees.
The greatest carbon storage areas on the planet are forests, followed by oceans.
As a result, woodlands keep their surroundings cool. Green spaces can assist reduce the heat in places where it tends to be hotter.
By protecting and restoring natural systems like forests, the world may get one-third closer to achieving its 2030 climate change mitigation targets.
On the other side, 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions are caused by the destruction of forests.
5. Forests play a significant role in the Water Cycle.
Trees draw water from the earth with their roots and discharge it into the atmosphere. Large forests can produce climates and precipitation.
Forest watersheds serve as a natural system for the collection, filtering, and storage of clean drinking water.
6. Crops are shielded from Wind by Forests
Crops can be destroyed by winds, particularly high gusts, and sustained wind causes plants to lose more water through evaporation.
In some places, plants can also be harmed by the dust and debris that the wind blows around. These harmful gusts can be blocked by trees, preserving priceless crops.
7. Forests Reduce Soil Erosion
By securing the soil with their roots, trees stop soil erosion. Tree branches and leaves that fall to the ground prevent soil erosion caused by rain.
In addition to preventing erosion, forests provide a buffer against other natural calamities like flooding and heavy rain.
8. Medicine is found in Forests.
People have understood that trees offer to heal properties for a very long time.
Numerous tree species, including the moringa tree, are recognized for their therapeutic qualities.
Antibiotic and antibacterial activities have been found in extracts.
9. Forests promote Biodiversity
For a vast diversity of animals, forests offer ideal habitats.
According to experts, between 3-50 million species, call the tropical rainforest home.
The world’s forests are home to 80% of all terrestrial species.
10. Forests are essential to people
The livelihoods of more than 1.5 billion people depend on forest resources.
Food, fuel, medicine, shelter, and other necessities are provided by these resources.
Additionally, forests are necessary as a fallback option in case crops don’t perform adequately.
The World Wildlife Fund estimates that 300 million people live in forests.
Millions of people would flee their homes and poverty would soar if these forests disappeared.
Forest Conservation Organizations
Below are some of the reputable forest conservation organizations in the world
1. The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy protects over 125 million acres of land through partnerships with local communities, corporations, and private citizens.
This organization’s mission is to protect complete wildlife communities and their diverse species, a comprehensive strategy that is essential to the sustainability of our world.
2. The World Wildlife Fund
In approximately 100 nations, the World Wildlife Fund collaborates with bilateral and multilateral organizations to advance sustainable development.
Its three main objectives are the preservation of natural ecosystems and wild populations, the reduction of pollution, and the promotion of effective, sustainable resource use.
The WWF concentrates its efforts at several scales, starting with particular wildlife habitats and local communities and working its way up to governments and international networks of non-governmental organizations.
3. The Sierra Club
John Muir, a naturalist, and activist co-founded the Sierra Club in 1892.
The organization seeks to safeguard biological communities, promote sensible energy options, and leave a lasting legacy for America’s wilderness areas.
Its current projects include creating fossil fuel substitutes, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and safeguarding wildlife habitats.
It also works on environmental justice, clean air and water, population growth, toxic waste, and ethical trade.
4. Conservation International
Working mostly with indigenous peoples and diverse non-governmental groups.
Conservation International works to help stabilize the world’s climate, safeguard freshwater resources around the globe, and maintain general human well-being in ecologically vulnerable places.
5. International Union for Conservation of Nature
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) supports the global community in identifying workable solutions to the most important environmental and development issues.
As the International Union for the Protection of Nature (IUPN), was established in October 1948 and is regarded as the first international environmental organization.
6. World Commission on Forest and Sustainable Development
After the Earth Summit in 1992, it was decided that political action is more likely to reverse forest degradation than technical action.
As a result, the InterAction Council, a group of about 30 former presidents of state and administration, decided to create the World Commission on Forests and Sustainable Development as an impartial commission (WCFSD).
7. World Resources Institute – Global Forest Watch
The World Resources Institute (WRI) was established on June 3, 1982, as a center for research and analysis on public policy about global resources and environmental challenges.
Its main office is in Washington, D.C. To develop solutions for pressing environmental concerns, WRI collaborates with governments, businesses, and civil society.
8. The Forest Stewardship Council
FSC is a pioneering forum where the international consensus on responsible forest management convenes and, through a democratic process, effects solutions to the pressures facing the world’s forests and communities that depend on them.
FSC was founded in 1993 as a response to concerns over global deforestation.
Around the world, FSC has local representation in more than 50 nations.
Conclusion
In brief, the conservation of forest resources can be done by cooperative efforts of the government, non-government organizations, and the public through a proper management system.
Also, you can as well start up a forest conservation organization. Join the moving train and help minimize this very important resource we have.
You can start by enlightening others by creating from your immediate surrounding. Plant trees and encourage others to do the same. The next generation will thank you for that.
Forest Conservation Organizations – FAQs
What can be done to conserve forests?
Some of the steps we can take to conserve our forest resources are as follows:
- Drastically minimize and regulate the felling of Trees.
- It is necessary to adopt the latest techniques of firefighting but the prevention of forest fire which is mostly caused by man is the best.
- Engage in reforestation and afforestation
- Check over Forest Clearance for Agricultural and Habitation Purposes
- We should avoid actions that degrade or destroy our forests hence, we should protect our forests.
- We should properly utilize our forest and its products.
- The government has a role in forest conservation.
- To ensure adequate forest management we should go green in our daily living.
- Use digital products than paper Resist buying what you don’t need Reuse products.
- You can as well buy used wood products.
- Spread the word about what we stand to lose if we continue in our way of deforestation.
We should take the conservation of our forests very seriously knowing how critical they are to our survival.
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A passion-driven environmentalist by heart. Lead content writer at EnvironmentGo.
I strive to educate the public about the environment and its problems.
It has always been about nature, we ought to protect not destroy.