As long as humans live, there will be the need for things that have their sources from forests. There is not much we can do about that, but, there surely is something we can do to ensure that while we meet our demands, we are also preserving and securing this natural wonder of forests with its diverse life forms. This is what sustainable forestry aims to do.
Sustainable forestry protects the
1. extent of forest resources
2. biological diversity
3. forest health and vitality
4. productive functions of forest resources
5. protective functions of forest resources
6. socio-economic functions and
7. legal, policy and institutional framework
This task is not for any one person, group or nation. It is a collaborative effort. More than 1.6 billion people depend on forests, in various capacities for their livelihoods, including some 400 million people who live in, or around, forests. Many threats to forests originate outside the forest sector. Sound forest policy therefore, requires cross-sectoral policy harmonization at the national, regional and global levels. SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT, FOREST CERTIFICATION AND MDG’S. Pekka Patosaari Coordinator and Head of the Secretariat United Nations Forum on Forests
Typically, this can be simplified at local levels to make more sense and also make an impact to the goals of sustainable forestry. How is that possible?
1. Forestry companies must plant trees (seedlings) before they are allowed to bring down any tree.
2. Only old trees may be cut, and in a way that does not destroy other trees in the process
3. Young trees shall be protected
4. Encourage tourism to raise funds to enforce sustainable forestry policies.
Some large businesses have set a good example in the wake of sustainable foresty. IKEA will not buy timber without knowing the origin of the wood, or from illegal logging, social conflict zones geographically identified high conservation value forests or genetically modified organisms. IKEA has a well-defined structure of ensuring that the wood for their products are from sustainable sources —Source: Responsible Forestry, UICN
It’s not hard to see that they will sometimes face some real challenges with that pledge, but if all businesses act responsibly, a lot can be achieved in rolling back the pace of forest destruction.