Page 21 - Landscape-Issue125

FEATURE FEATURE

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FORESTS

The International Day of Forests was celebrated on 21 March 2023. According to
the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), forests cover 31%
of the world’s land surface, store approximately 296 gigatonnes of carbon and are
home to most of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity. It is important to recognise the

significance of these ecosystems and how they support our survival.

ane Molony, executive director of the deforestation between 1990 and 2020. As This in turn supports greener economic
Paper Manufacturers Association of a tree-poor country, South Africa relies on recovery and a bio-centric circular economy,
JSouth Africa (PAMSA) says that forests the 1.2 million hectares of planted forests to with responsible forest management
are critical to survival in many ways – they supply its fibre, timber and fuel needs. Only contributing significantly to job creation
help regulate climate, purify air and water, half a million hectares of the country’s land and socio-economic development.
and contribute to peoples’ overall well- cover comprises naturally growing trees Molony says that in South Africa, the
being as sources of food and medicine. and woodlands. forest industry supports over half a million
Planted forests provide raw materials for Sustainable forest management can people and globally, the forest sector
various industries. play a significant role in mitigating climate supports jobs for at least 33 million people.
There is a long-held notion that tree change as trees and other plants absorb and Forest products are also used by billions of
felling for paper production is killing trees store carbon dioxide (carbon sequestration), people every day, and in short, forests are
and causing deforestation but this could which helps to reduce the amount of an integral part of our daily lives.
not be further from the truth, says Molony. greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Paper is not made from the wood of urban or This carbon storage is maintained even Healthy forests equal healthy
natural forests, but rather from farmed trees when trees are harvested. Wood products, people
and recycled paper. It is farmed for wood, including pulp and paper, become a pool of Studies have shown that spending time in
pulp and paper products, and the replanting stored carbon and long-life wood products forests can reduce stress, improve mood
aspect of commercial plantations must be demonstrate unmatched carbon storage and boost immune function. Forests
emphasised. In South Africa, less than 10% and emissions reduction potential. provide us with breathable air and clean
of the total number of plantation trees are By using more wood-based products water, and the plants that grow in forests
harvested each year, and this area is then to replace carbon-intensive materials, are often used for medicine.
replanted with new saplings. Responsible demand is created. When more trees are Molony says that in celebrating the
harvesting is an important part of planted to meet this demand, supply International Day of Forests, protecting
maintaining healthy forests and sustainable is improved. The goal of limiting global trees is vital, not only for cities but for also
supply for future generations. warming to 1.5 degrees C will require the for industries and everyday life.
use of more timber in construction, more
More than just a set of lungs wood-based fibre in packaging and more Information and photos supplied by the Paper
Forests are resources of global significance, cellulose in products – from biofuels to Manufacturers Association of South Africa
yet 420 million hectares were lost through clothing to car parts and pharmaceuticals. (PAMSA) n

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Landscape SA • Issue 125 2023 19