The State of the World’s Forests 2022
Recently the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has released the World Forest Status Report (SOFO) 2022.
In this report, it has been said to restore the previous status of green cover. Also, measures have been considered to deal with the multi-faceted hazards of the Earth, including climate change and loss of biodiversity. The report examines the potential of 3 forest pathways.
The following are the three forest measures related to each other:
- Prevent and preserve deforestation;
- Improve degraded lands and expand agro-forestry;
- Make sustainable use of forests and build a green value chain.
Key Conclusions of SOFO 2022
- In the last 30 years, about 34% of the world’s total forest area has been lost. However, the rate of deforestation was also decreasing during this period.
- Globally, at least 260 gigatons of carbon are stored in ecosystems at risk of deforestation or degradation. This carbon is extremely difficult to recover, or is negligible. These ecosystems typically include peat lands, mangroves, old developed forests and marshy lands.
- With increasing population and the need to reduce environmental impacts, the world will need more renewable materials.
- More than half of the world’s GDP depends, in general or to a large extent, on ecosystem services.
- In Northeast India, over 160 species of wild plants and fungi that appear in local markets contribute up to 75% of the total income of many families.
- Of the 250 new infectious diseases, 15% are related to forests.
Source – The Hindu
