Forests cover 30% of the planet’s land surface, and they’re critical for the quality of the air we breathe – 20% of which comes from the Amazonian rainforest. Forests are also crucial for the quality of the rivers’ waters that cities directly or indirectly consume, and for the regulation of the water cycle. Further, they play a key role in fighting climate change, as they soak up and store CO2 into their biomass, preventing it from going to the atmosphere. In fact, protecting forests has the power to help us fulfil the Paris Agreement by 37%.
Approximately 85% of the total land area of Guyana is covered in various types of forests, so the celebration of this day is of significance to our country.
The theme for each International Day of Forests is chosen by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, and this year it’s no different. The theme for 2022 is “Forests and sustainable production and consumption.” Today, forests are facing unprecedented challenges, with human development activities being among the most pressing of all. These challenges threaten the well-being of people, especially indigenous people and nature (wildlife) habitats. A call is being made for immediate action to develop innovative and creative solutions that set the world on a path to peace and prosperity on a healthy planet.
The Forestry Programme Area at the EPA is tasked with the responsibility of ensuring forest conservation through our environmental authorisation process. The Programme Area coordinates and implements activities in keeping with the Environmental Protection Act Cap 20:05, and works with the Guyana Forestry Commission and other partners in ensuring the wise use of this natural resource and associated resources like water and biodiversity.
In addition to the authorisation process, the Department also monitors and provides compliance assistance, and responds to complaints related to activities in the sector.
DID YOU KNOW THAT
– Some 1.6 billion people rely on forests for their livelihoods.
– Forests are also home to over 80% of terrestrial species.
– They can play a vital role in combating climate change.
– Sustainable management can also aid future generations.
It is our duty to protect and preserve the forest, no matter what development activity we are involved in. So, as the slogan for this year says, “Choose sustainable wood for people and the planet”. We can start by refusing to buy, or buy fewer types of harmful products, and looking for the ones certified as fair-trade or coming from responsibly managed forests. If many people contribute to a reduction in demand, it would have a significant effect on the suppliers’ side.
You can also spread this issue among your friends, family, and community, and ask them to do the same within theirs. You can directly ask businesses to change and to follow a more sustainable path by making specific suggestions or just sharing your concerns. If many people do it, organizations would understand you’re expecting something different from them, and change would be facilitated.
Ask political leaders for change as well, and use your social networks to be a voice for positive change. Try to have a positive impact on your organization or the organization you’re working with. Let us inspire the change.
References
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/03/deforestation-biodiversity-protect-international-day/
https://youmatter.world/en/forest-protection-important-help-28321/
You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O Communications Department, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: [email protected], follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
