Human Wrongs Watch
Over 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed each year and deforestation accounts for 12 to 20% of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming, warned the United Nations on occasion of the International Day of Forests, observed on 21 March 2014. Around 1.6 billion people – including more than 2,000 indigenous cultures – depend on forests for their livelihood.*

Grace works on a voluntary basis to support efforts to protect the forest. She provides both material support to Kenya Forest Service rangers. Photo: UNFF/Riccardo Gangle
Forests cover one-third of all land area, and are home to 80 per cent of terrestrial biodiversity. They are crucial for addressing a multitude of sustainable development imperatives, from poverty eradication to food security, from mitigating and adapting to climate change to reducing disaster risk.” Forests also help combat climate change as they store more carbon than is in the atmosphere.