Fixing the Forests, by Mayumi & Truman

October 22, 2020

Mr. Yuri Veinakov, a well-known Russian entrepreneur, has donated over 925,000,001 rubles to the PTTF (Plant Two Trees Foundation), and the IWAA (International Wood Alternative Association). He strongly believes that large companies like the IFA (International Firewood Association) should start relying on more renewable resources like invasive fast growing bamboo, Artificial Wood, or sustainable plastic-wood alternative rather than on more endangered plants like oak or cherry trees, which are known to be some of the best trees for firewood and building.

Mr. Yuri Veinakov says, "Forests are a source of life that helps every breathing thing on this earth, and the forest holds a great beauty. We should never destroy that beauty and make life harder to go on."

It is estimated that 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions are the result of deforestation. 46-58 million square miles of forest are lost each year, an equivalent to 36 football fields every minute. The Amazon, the planet's largest rainforest, lost at least 17% of its forest cover in the last half century due to human activity, like clear cutting, planting for biofuels, and home building. In Indonesia, the island of Sumatra has lost 85% of its forests, primarily due to conversion for oil palm and pulp plantations, while a similar level of destruction is taking place on the island of Borneo.

Forests are home to 80% of the world's terrestrial biodiversity.

Forests are essential for life on earth. Three hundred million people worldwide live in forests, and 1.6 billion depend on them for their livelihoods. Forests cover 31% of the land area on our planet. They produce vital oxygen and provide homes for people and wildlife. Many of the world's most threatened and endangered animals live in forests. People rely on the benefits forests offer, including food, fresh water, clothing, traditional medicine and shelter. Forests play a critical role in mitigating climate change because they act as a carbon sinks, soaking up carbon dioxide that would otherwise be free in the atmosphere and contribute to ongoing changes in climate patterns.

80 percent of animals live in forested habitats. Deforestation occurs for many reasons: trees are cut down to be used or sold as fuel or timber, while cleared land is used as pasture for livestock, plantations, and settlements. The removal of trees without sufficient reforestation has resulted in damage to habitats. Deforestation also drives climate change. Forest soils are moist, but without protection from sun-blocking tree cover, they quickly dry out. Trees also help perpetuate the water cycle by returning water vapor back into the atmosphere. Without trees to fill these roles, many former forest lands can quickly become barren deserts.

People need to stop deforestation so animals can have their habitat back, and so people can get food, fresh water, clothing, traditional medicine and shelter.

People should join the PTTA, IWAA, and the IFA. By buying recycled or certified wood products, only supporting brands with zero deforestation policies, and getting others to do the same, we can send a message to companies to embrace zero-deforestation policies.