International Day of Forests 2023
Key messages
Forests are a vital source of food and nutrition
Nearly one billion people globally depend on harvesting wild food such as herbs, fruits, nuts, meat and insects for nutritious diets. In some remote tropical areas, the consumption of wild meat is estimated to cover between 60 - 80 percent of daily protein needs.
Forests are natural pharmacies
Around 50 000 plant species – many of which grow in forests – have medicinal value. Local communities use forest-derived medicines for a wide array of ailments and many common pharmaceutical medicines are derived from forest plants, including cancer-treating drugs from the Madagascar periwinkle and malaria medication quinine from cinchona trees.
Forests boost our mental and physical health
Spending time in forests increases positive emotions and decreases stress, blood pressure, depression, fatigue, anxiety and tension. Trees in cities also absorb pollutant gases from traffic and industry and filter fine particulates such as dust, dirt and smoke, which help shield urban populations from respiratory diseases.
Forests play a central role in combating the biggest health threat facing humanity: climate change
Healthy forests help keep global warming in check: forests contain 662 billion tonnes of carbon, which is more than half the global carbon stock in soils and vegetation. Forests and trees also help buffer exposure to heat and extreme weather events caused by climate change, which pose a major global health challenge. For example, trees properly placed around buildings cool the air and can cut air conditioning needs by up to 30 percent, also saving energy.
Forests are under threat and need our help
Ten million hectares – roughly the equivalent of 14 million football pitches – of forest were lost per year to deforestation between 2015 and 2020. Forest insects damage around 35 million hectares of forest annually. Fire affected approximately 98 million hectares of forest globally in 2015. Through forest-friendly policies and increased investment in forests and trees we can protect our planet and our health.
News and stories
International Day of Forests 2023 event highlights importance of forests for environmental and human health
21/03/2023
Forests are essential for livelihoods and nutrition, biodiversity and the environment, but immediate action is needed to protect and maintain these...
Why we need healthy forests for healthy people
21/03/2023
As we mark the International Day of Forests today, it is worth remembering that there are many reasons to appreciate forests – and that even if we never...
Copaiba: The “miracle” medicinal tree in Bolivia
20/03/2023
The copaiba is known as the “miracle tree” because it is one of the medicinal trees most widely used in Bolivia’s Chiquitania region – and indeed in...
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Related links
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Publications
Forests for human health and well-being
20/03/2020
Forests provide, directly or indirectly, important health benefits for all people – not only those whose lives are closely intertwined with forest ecosystems,...
Events
Rome (Italy)
International Day of Forests 2023 high-level event
21/03/2023
Join the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations at a high-level event to celebrate the International Day of Forests 2023.