- Forests are home to about 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity, with more that 60.000 tree species.
- For centuries, forests have provided livelihood for hundreds of millions of people, especially within indigenous communities.
- Forests provide nutritious foods, ingredients for medicine, filtrates and store water.
- The world is losing 10 millions hectares of forest each year.
- Land degradation affects almost 2 billion hectares.
- A tree can absorb up to 150kg of carbon dioxide per year. There world’s forests store an estimated 296 gigatons of carbon in both above and below ground biomass.
- Forest bathing – Shinrinyoku, is good for health and is prescribed by doctors in some countries.
- Ending deforestation protects wildlife and our health. A healthy forest ecosystem shields us from many diseases, including zoonotic ones.
- Trees are vital component of sustainable cities, in urban areas, they can cool the air by up to 8 degrees, reducing our dependence on air conditioning and related emissions by up to 40 percent.
- Urban trees are excellent air filters, removing harmful pollutants and fine particulars.
- Urban trees improve our physical and mental health.
“What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and one another.”
Mahatma Gandhi
Learn more about Forests:
Maya's Way 