Forestry and climate change

FAO publications on forests and climate change

E=English, F=French, S=Spanish

	Climate change and the forest sector - Possible national and subnational legislation FAO Forestry Paper 144 (2004), E, 73 pp
Climate change presents the world with a daunting problem. Emerging science suggests that humans may be about to cause a major change in world climates. The economic and ecological stakes are high. In an ideal world, mature science would guide policy and legal reform. In the real world, it is not always possible to have the luxury of certainty and the comfort of strictly rational decisions based on scientific insight. Responding to the challenge will require pioneering efforts in science, politics, pollution control, forest management and law. This publication examines the development of international law of climate change and discusses issues that national and subnational legislative bodies may have to consider regarding climate change mitigation and forests.

	Climate change, forests and forest management FAO Forestry Paper 126 (1995), E, S, F, 128 pp
A review of the present state of knowledge of global climate change, as it applies to forests and forest management, is presented in question and answer format. This paper addresses the dynamic nature of the Earth's climate, the greenhouse effect, predicted effects of climate change, the global carbon cycle, trees and forests as sources and sinks of carbon, possible effects of climate change on forests, helping forests adapt to climate change and how forests can mitigate predicted effects of climate change. English version available in hard copy only.