How Forests Support and Sustain Life on Earth?
Forests are an intricate network of ecosystems that perform vital functions for life on our planet. Within them, numerous organisms live and interact with each other, allowing them to thrive and support a wide range of plant and animal life. For instance, forests are home to around 50,000 plant species, many of which have medicinal properties and are used by local communities to treat various ailments.
In addition to their biodiversity, forests play a critical role in mitigating global warming. They hold 662 billion tonnes of carbon, which is more than half the global carbon stock in soils and vegetation. Trees also act as a buffer against heat and extreme weather events caused by climate change, which pose a major global health challenge.
Forests also play a crucial role in protecting the soil from erosion and regulating the local and global climate. Their roots hold the soil, preventing water and wind erosion, while their leaves slow down the impact of raindrops on the ground. Moreover, forests release moisture into the air through plant evapotranspiration, influencing air circulation and cloud formation, and thus contributing to climate regulation and the maintenance of meteorological conditions.
The role of carbon credits
Despite their importance, forests are threatened by human activities such as intensive agriculture, timber extraction, urbanization and climate change. Every year, millions of hectares of forests are lost worldwide, with serious consequences for the environment and local people, but there is an effective way to protect forests and minimize the impact of human activities on the environment, and that is through the use of carbon credits.
Carbon credits are a mechanism used to decrease greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities, including the conservation of forests. Carbon credits can be produced through forest conservation efforts, as trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in their biomass.
When forests are preserved, carbon credits can be generated and traded on carbon markets, offering a financial incentive for forest conservation projects while simultaneously reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, ultimately combating climate change.
As we celebrate the International Day of Forests, we renew our commitment to protecting and restoring forest ecosystems and fighting climate change. We stand ready to guide companies and organizations in choosing the best strategies to contribute to the protection of forests and the safeguarding of our planet.
Join us in protecting and preserving the wonderful forests of our world!
#IntlForestDay
