International Day of Forests is the link between food security and planetary sustainability

International Day of Forests The link between food security and planetary sustainability

Forests represent one of the most important ecosystems on which the future ofsustainable development is based; They are not just green spaces, but rather a vital system that contributes to maintaining the balance of the planet, and plays an essential role in supporting life on Earth by providing communities with natural resources, enhancing food security, and reducing the effects of climate change. Which makes protecting it a necessity to achieve a more balanced future.

In this context, Earth Guards highlights the pivotal role of forests in facing environmental and economic challenges, in conjunction with the International Day of Forests, which was approved by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012, and is celebrated on March 21 of every year, as a reminder of the importance of forests in building sustainable ecosystems.

The importance of forests

Forests contribute to climate regulation by absorbing and storing carbon dioxide. This helps reduce global warming, and it also plays a major role in protectingbiodiversity by providing natural habitats for a huge number of living organisms. In addition, it is considered an essential element in the water cycle, as it provides more than 85% of the fresh water supplies for major cities. Which enhances water security and ensures the sustainability of natural resources.

In addition to their environmental role, forests are a source of food for millions of people, especially in rural areas, and the diversity of their food resources contributes to improving the quality of nutrition and ensuring the stability of food supplies, especially during crises and natural disasters that affect traditional agricultural production.

The importance of forests is not limited to the environmental and nutritional aspects, but also extends to being an economic engine, especially in societies that rely heavily on natural resources. Forests provide direct and indirect employment opportunities, and wood and non-wood forest products contribute up to 20% of rural household income. They also support multiple economic sectors, such as integrated agriculture, urban forestry, and traditional food production. This enhances sustainable livelihoods and reduces dependence on industrial resources in these places.

The 2025 International Day of Forests carries a central message entitled “Forests and Food”, highlighting the close relationship between forest health and ensuring food security. This year’s celebration coincides with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) celebrating the 80th anniversary of its founding; This represents an opportunity to showcase innovative solutions and pioneering practices that contribute to building a more sustainable and inclusive food future that supports local communities and protects natural resources.

Challenges facing forests

Despite the environmental, nutritional and economic benefits that forests provide, these vital systems face mounting challenges that threaten the continuation of their vital role. Removal of vegetation cover, rapid climate change, and pressures resulting from human activities represent serious threats to these natural spaces.

It should be noted that great global efforts are being made to reduce deforestation rates, yet these ecosystems are still at risk due to fires, pests, and the increasing consumption of wood and non-wood products, as reports indicate that the world is witnessing a record production of wood amounting to about 4 billion cubic meters annually, and at the same time more than 6 billion people around the world depend on non-wood products that are also extracted from forests, such as fruits, herbs, and other natural materials.

These numbers reflect the extent of the current exploitation of these natural resources, and demonstrate the pivotal role that forests play in meeting economic and social needs. However, it imposes a double challenge, which is the need to ensure the sustainability of these resources without disturbing the environmental balance.

Towards sustainable solutions

In the face of these challenges, there is a need for integrated strategies that combine scientific innovation and traditional knowledge. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched an innovative scientific strategy aimed at harnessing modern digital tools, such as remote sensing and cloud computing technologies. To monitor changes in forests and analyze data accurately.

Data issued by the FAO indicate the increasing role of technology in improving forest monitoring and protection, as these technologies provide accurate information that helps in making evidence-based decisions, and these efforts come within the framework of striving to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which make preserving forests and enhancing biodiversity an essential pillar for improving livelihoods and supporting local communities.

Among the sustainable solutions that can be adopted is agroforestry, which combines the cultivation of crops and trees in an integrated system that enhances soil fertility, preserves biodiversity, and reduces the effects of climate change by absorbing carbon. This system also contributes to reducing dependence on industrial systems that deplete natural resources.

Earth Guards believes that the International Day of Forests represents an opportunity to emphasize the importance of forests in supporting life on Earth, and to call for concerted global efforts to protect them. It is also an opportunity to call on all parties to work to protect forests, based on the realization that achieving food security and sustainable development is closely linked to the ability of forests to perform their vital role in supporting systems Environmental.