continues to increase and are close to one million hectares sustainably managed forests in Italy. A very good news that comes from Pefc Italy, the Evaluation Program of forest certification schemes, precisely on the occasion of World Forest Daywhich falls on March 21st.
World Forest Day, good news from Italy
The day was established by the UN on December 21, 2012 and to raise awareness of the invaluable value of all types of forests and the dangers of deforestation, but not only.
The goal is also to raise awareness sustainable management of these immense green areas and the resources at its disposal essential to combat climate change and to contribute to the well-being of current and future generations.
Forests, in fact, also play a crucial role in poverty reduction and in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Forests are one of the ecosystems most damaged by humans: according to estimates, the globe has already lost a third of its forests and approximately 12 million hectares continue to be destroyed annually. (Getty Images)
Threatened from everywhere
Yet despite all these invaluable ecological, economic, social and health benefits, they are still too threatened by unprecedented fires, pests, droughts and deforestation.
Returning to the Pefc report, it is interesting to note one specific fact: at the end of 2022, certified forests they had an increase of 3.7%. That is to say that from 892,609.63 hectares in 2021 they have reached 925,609.96 with a growth of 33 thousand hectares.
I am 14 Italian regions that have at least one certified forestwith Trentino Alto Adige confirming the largest area, followed by Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto.
But what does sustainable forest management mean?
Forests are fundamental not only for Italy, but for the whole planet e sustainable management of this natural resource is essential to ensure that company requests do not compromise the resource.
The aim is to use forests at such a rate that are able to maintain their biodiversity and their ability to regenerate. This is so that they are able to carry out their ecological, economic and social functions, without causing damage to other ecosystems.
Why a dedicated Day
As it happens for many days devoted to specific themesthe need is to make the subject central to the public debate.
The forests are indeed one of the ecosystems most damaged by humans: according to estimates the globe it has already lost a third of its forests and annually continue to be destroyed about 12 million hectares.
The causes see on the one hand the loggingmainly due to the increase in the demand for land needed to grow crops, raise animals and build homes for a constantly growing world population.
On the other, indirect causes are added to deforestation, such as the intensification of extreme weather phenomena, such as fires, droughts, floods and strong winds. A complex problem that must be tackled hand in hand with the climate crisis, of which deforestation is the extreme consequence.
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