With pollution levels off the charts in some Asian cities and haze from forest fires blanketing much of Southeast Asia, this year’s International Day of Forests on 21^st March reminds us what’s at stake if countries don't get more serious in dealing with deforestation and climate change, an official at the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today.

“The present efforts to address climate change clearly need to be stepped up to include more effective forest management and expansion of forest cover,”  said Hiroyuki Konuma, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, adding that “more than 11 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions result from deforestation and forest degradation.”

Forests are crucial in allowing our planet to adapt to climate change as they help ensure water availability, protect against landslides, prevent desertification and provide livelihoods for people. Forests cover 31 percent of global land area and almost as much carbon is stored in forests (650 billion tons) as in the atmosphere (760 billion tons).

Some improvements in Asia – but more is needed

While the Asian region as a whole has achieved a small increase in forest cover in the last decade, due to massive reforestation programmes in a few countries such as China and Viet Nam, continuing loss of natural forests, forest degradation and declining forest health continue to be a concern in most countries of the region.   

“Protecting the remaining forests of our region conserves the biodiversity that is vital for plants, humans and other animals to adapt to climate change,” Konuma said. “If we stop the damage now, we will not only avoid massive release of forest carbon into the atmosphere, but our forests will also potentially be able to absorb more than one-tenth of global carbon emissions and store them long-term in the form of forest biomass, in the soil and in wood products.”

Forests, women and climate change

A new report, just released by FAO and RECOFTC – The Center for People and Forests, highlights that women could be a major force in countries’ strategies to improve forest management. Studies confirmed the key roles of women in managing and protecting forests in the Asian region.  Their contributions are therefore seen as critical in dealing with the challenges associated with climate change.

“It is time to acknowledge the major role that women have in managing forests,” said Konuma. “Women have to be given more opportunity to play leading roles and given far greater say when decisions are made about trees and forests; it is very clear that no initiative aimed at addressing climate change or forest management will be successful without the full involvement of women.”

Raising awareness of policy makers, practitioners and the general public

International Day of Forests, held annually on 21 March, helps raise awareness of the importance of forests to people.  More than 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihoods, medicine, fuel and food.

In Asia and the Pacific, FAO is working with all levels of society to raise awareness of the importance of forests, through debate involving high-school and university students at FAO in Bangkok this week, and a high-level executive forest policy course on people, land use and forests in the ASEAN region next week.

“Raising awareness is important, as is successful conclusion of negotiations on a comprehensive international climate change agreement,” said Konuma.  “But what really matters is how we address these challenges on the ground.  In this aspect, we need the support of everyone, including the critical contributions of women in ensuring sound forest management.”