The key goal of the UN called “Life on Land” is to protect everything that gives life and allows us - people, to live. These are, of course, forests from which sustenance, health, fuel and shelter 1.6 billion people depend (including from about 70 million indigenous people).
Forests to the lungs of the earth, but also resources, biodiversity and temperature regulation. They are crucial for all of us, but we are still observing the progressive deforestation of the Earth. In years 2010–2015 The amount of forest in the world has decreased by an average 3.3 million hectares per year.
Tasks of UN Goal 15
The objectives of Goal 15 include the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, drylands and mountains. It is crucial to curb deforestation, halt soil degradation and desertification, and protect biodiversity, including endangered animal and plant species. It also aims to combat wildlife trafficking, promote sustainable access to genetic resources and integrate ecosystem and biodiversity issues into national development strategies. Financial support and local initiatives are intended to help restore forests, conserve species and improve the quality of life of communities dependent on nature.
What do forests give us? Care for wellbeing
Forests play a key role in improving our well-being. As Dr. Emilia Janeczko from the Department of Forest Use of the SGGW points out, only recently in Poland there has been more and more talk about the positive impact of nature on human life. The researcher emphasizes that contact with the forest helps reduce stress, improves well-being and supports mental health. While terms such as “forest therapy” or “forest baths” (shinrin-yoku) tend to be perceived differently in the scientific community, both are correct and reflect the growing importance of forests not so much as a healing agent but as a source of daily well-being. More and more conferences and studies indicate that regular contact with nature can realistically improve the quality of life and well-being of a person.
Sustainable development
As reported by the State Forests report Functions of the Forest The concept of sustainable development originated more than 300 years ago. Already at the beginning of the 18th century it was noticed that the excessive use of forest resources could end badly for us. More precisely, this was discovered by the German economist Hans Carl von Carlowitz. The concept of sustainability comes from forestry and was initially defined as forest management consisting of cutting down only as many trees as can grow in the same place, so that the forest is never destroyed, so that it can always renew itself.
Sustainable development is when humanity continues to develop (through education, work, leisure, shelter), but at the same time does so in a way that is harmless to nature and without exposing future generations to the loss of the possibility of free contact with it. It is also crucial to use the resources that are sufficient for our children.
Sustainability is based on three interrelated pillars. The first is about the environment - nature conservation, biodiversity and climate change. The second is the economy, which includes the production, consumption and use of natural resources. The third pillar is society - the political system, education, work and culture. Neglect of any of the pillars can provoke serious consequences. For example, if we do not take care of bees, which are essential for pollination of plants (environment), availability will decrease and the price of food will increase (economy), which in turn can lead to social tensions (society). This shows how small omissions can produce global effects - the so-called “butterfly effect”.
Why is biodiversity on land important?
Terrestrial biodiversity is essential for the functioning of ecosystems and human life. Although of the approximately 8,300 known animal species, 8% are already extinct and 22% are endangered, many species of plants, trees and microorganisms still remain poorly understood. Species diversity supports agriculture, traditional medicine and food security — more than 80% of the human diet is plant-based and 80% of rural people in developing countries use medicinal plants. Preserving biodiversity is also crucial in the fight against the illegal wildlife trade and the protection of ecosystems.
Effects of biodiversity loss
The loss of biodiversity has serious consequences for both nature and humans. The disappearance of individual species disrupts the balance of ecosystems, which can lead to their degradation; for example, the lack of pollinating insects threatens food production. Less diverse ecosystems are also less resilient to the effects of climate change, such as droughts, floods or other extreme weather events. In addition, environmental disturbances increase the risk of spreading animal-borne diseases, including viruses such as Zika or Ebola. However, the loss of species used by humans, such as wood or fish, can lead to economic problems and reduced availability of valuable raw materials.
How to protect forests? Protecting forests requires commitment, knowledge and cooperation. The first step is to learn about the functions of forests, the threats that lie in wait for them, and the possibilities for action. Forests and Citizens Foundation offers educational materials that help you understand how to effectively protect nature. Another important element is cooperation with local communities, NGOs and local governments - joint actions are much more effective than individual initiatives. With knowledge and support, you can get involved in specific activities, such as participating in public consultations on logging plans, reporting irregularities in forest management or organizing educational actions. The Foundation also provides tools to facilitate forest monitoring, such as a map of planned felling or Forest Data Bank, which allow you to monitor the state of Polish forests on an ongoing basis. An important aspect is also the education of others; workshops, lectures or information meetings raise social awareness and show the importance of forests for human life and ecosystems. Any, even the smallest, commitment to forest conservation matters and can contribute to the preservation of nature for future generations.
International activities
Protecting life on land requires cooperation on a global level - but we still lack many solutions. International agreements and initiatives, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Goal 15), conventions on biodiversity and programmes to protect forests and endangered species, aim to preserve biodiversity, stop deforestation and ecosystem degradation. These activities include protecting endangered species, combating illegal wildlife trade, afforestation of degraded areas and supporting local communities in the sustainable management of natural resources. However, effective protection of life on land requires both Global legal framework, as well as the local involvement of communities that benefit from and protect ecosystems.
summary
Protecting forests and biodiversity is crucial for ecosystem stability, food security and human health. Activities include afforestation, protection of endangered species, social education and combating illegal wildlife trade. Effective protection requires local and international cooperation, from individual initiatives to global agreements.
Sources:
- https://naukawpolsce.pl/aktualnosci/news%2C98526%2Cbadania-potwierdzaja-pozytywny-wplyw-lasu-i-zieleni-na-zdrowie-i
- https://www.lasy.gov.pl/pl/informacje/publikacje/dla-dzieci-i-mlodziezy/poznac-i-zrozumiec-las-1/funkcje-lasu/poznac_i_zrozumiec_las_funkcje_lasu.pdf
- https://www.un.org.pl/cel15
- https://www.gov.pl/web/sdg-portal-wiedzy/cel-15-zycie-na-ladzie
- https://irme.pl/dlaczego-bioroznorodnosc-jest-tak-wazna-dla-ekosystemow/
- https://lasyiobywatele.pl/dowiedz-sie-jak-chronic-las
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