(International Day of Forests), established by the UN General Assembly on December 21, 2012.

The International Day of Forests aims to help educate everyone about how forests and trees protect us and what they give us.

According to the latest Global Assessment forest resources Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2015), the world's total forest area is 3,999 million hectares, corresponding to 30.6% of the land area, while in 1990 forests covered up to 31.6% of the land area or approximately 4,128 million hectares.

The bulk of the world's forest area (93%) is natural forest, a category that includes primary forests where human disturbance has been kept to a minimum, as well as secondary forest areas that have regenerated naturally.

According to the state forest register as of January 1, 2016, in Russia the area of ​​forest land and lands of other categories on which forests are located is 1184.1 million hectares, including forest land - 890.8 million hectares, of which forested land - 794.5 million hectares. The forest cover of the territory of the Russian Federation, that is, the ratio of the area of ​​forested land to the total land area of ​​the country, is 46.4%.

© Ministry natural resources and ecology of the Russian Federation. K. Kokoshkin

© Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Russian Federation. K. Kokoshkin

The main forest-forming species - larch, pine, spruce, cedar, oak, beech, birch and aspen - grow on 90.2% of the land occupied by forest plantations.

The total timber reserves in Russia are estimated at 82.79 billion cubic meters.

The most high levels forest cover was noted in the Irkutsk region (83.1%), the Komi Republic (72.7%), Perm region (71,5%).

Russia's forests are predominantly of natural origin. The most important feature Russian forests is the preservation of natural forest ecosystems over vast areas that are not subject to anthropogenic influence. About 25% of all intact forests in the world are concentrated in Russia.

Forests perform vital ecosystem functions. Forests are the most biologically diverse ecosystems on land, containing more than 80% of the world's terrestrial animal, insect and plant species. They play a key role in our fight against climate change. Forests help maintain a balanced level of oxygen, carbon dioxide and moisture in the air we breathe. They protect watersheds that provide 75% of the world's fresh water. Forests provide food medications and fuel, provide shelter and income for the world's 1.6 billion people.

However, despite all these invaluable environmental, economic, social and health benefits, global deforestation continues at an alarming rate of 13 million hectares of forest annually. Deforestation accounts for 12-20% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to global warming.

The 2017 International Day of Forests is dedicated to the theme “Forests and Energy”.

Forest wood is the main source of renewable energy worldwide. Wood accounts for about 40% of current global renewable energy generation. The use of fuel wood has important for both developing and some industrialized countries. About 50% of the world's wood (about 1.86 billion cubic meters) is used as an energy source for cooking, heating and electricity. 2.4 billion people use wood fuel to cook more nutritious food, boil water and heat their homes. Almost 900 million people in developing countries are employed full-time or part-time in the wood energy sector. Increasing investment in wood energy production and the development of new wood fuels will provide the funds needed to improve forest management, expand forest area and increase jobs.

The global energy potential of forests is approximately ten times greater than the annual global consumption of primary energy resources. Therefore, they can be considered to meet global energy demand.

The material was prepared based on information from open sources

What is a forest? Pines to the sky
Birches and oaks, berries, mushrooms...
Animal paths, hills and lowlands.
Soft grass, fuck the owl.
Silver lily of the valley, clean, clean air
And a living spring with spring water.

This little poem by an unknown author perfectly captures the essence of the most beautiful landscape that has ever existed on earth. A forest is an entire ecosystem, all links of which are interconnected with each other through an interweaving of biological connections. This is a separate world, functioning according to its own laws. But every nature lover interested in protecting flora is welcome here. On March 21, residents of many countries around the world celebrate the holiday.

History of the holiday March 21

Honoring forests in the form of holding specific events on International Forest Day, informing society about the need to protect green areas, began in the 20th century.

Decisive in this issue The year was 1971 - it was then that the holiday was established as International Forest Day. Representatives of the European Confederation came up with the idea of ​​adding a new significant environmental date to the list of existing holidays Agriculture. The initiative was taken by them within the framework of the agriculture conference at the 23rd General Assembly. The FAO Association - the World Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN - supported this brilliant idea.

Date of celebration International Day forest day was chosen spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. It usually falls on the month of March, on the 20th or 21st. This is not surprising, because the beginning of spring represents the awakening of nature from a long winter sleep and the preceding autumn slumber: the forest is dressed in fresh foliage.

The holiday of March 21, International Forest Day, is especially necessary today for the world community, much more so than in the 70s. last century. Currently, the destruction of green spaces has reached its climax: every second the planet irreversibly loses 1.5 hectares of forest area, and there is every reason to believe that this trend will develop exclusively in the direction of increase.

This begs an elementary question: why does this happen? Indeed, what, in fact, is the reason for such a disrespectful attitude towards the gifts of nature? There is no secret here. Firstly, in pursuit of satisfying their own greed, interested parties organize the sale of wood abroad, without thinking at all about the reproduction of green areas. Secondly, the number of people on Earth is increasing due to the fertility of the peoples of Africa and Asia. Accordingly, the needs of society are growing. Well, the third factor is the disappearance of forests regardless of human activity - as a result of fires, influence weather conditions, diseases and pests.

In celebration International Forest Day All UN member states take part. The versatility of the activities they carry out allows them to achieve the maximum goal set before the environmental date. On this day, March 21, activists focus on the reproduction of forests by planting new tree crops in the ground, organize discussions, conferences to discuss current problems and find the right solutions, hold exhibitions, competitions in order to interest visitors, awaken in their hearts the will to victory over inhumane treatment of green spaces. The main part of the events takes place in the presence and support of representatives state power. Certain countries that are members of the UN enter into certain agreements in order to work together to preserve forests.

Types of forest

Green areas cover a little more than 1/3 earth's surface. This type of landscape is diverse: nature has tried to provide us, its children, with numerous plant resources in order to extract maximum benefit from them for ourselves.

Coniferous forests have unique bactericidal properties, the carriers of which are phytoncides. When inhaling the aroma of pine needles in certain doses, a person is able to forget for a long time about his predisposition to sore throats, colds, and low immunity. His nervous system becomes stronger, more resilient and will no longer give up easily in the face of stress. Metabolism, digestion, the functioning of the endocrine glands and the cardiovascular system improve. Who would have thought that an ordinary walk among pine trees or spreading spruce trees would bring so many benefits?

Broad-leaved forests are formed by species of deciduous trees. The basis of such an array is oak, elm, and linden. Together with the already mentioned pines, spruces and others coniferous beauties broad-leaved forests become mixed.

There is such a variety of green areas as small-leaved forests. In them you can find the symbol of Rus' - birch, as well as aspen and alder. Forests consisting exclusively of a certain type of tree species are very beautiful. For example, pine forest, spruce forest, oak forest, linden forest, Birch Grove etc.

An interesting category of green areas are floodplain forests. Their base is poplar, black alder, and willow. Such clusters of woody vegetation are located in areas where flood waters overflow. However, in such areas both broad-leaved and coniferous forests often grow.

From time immemorial, forests have been national pride Russia. Today they are concentrated mainly in Siberia and much less in the European part of the country. Unfortunately, many green areas are destroyed by forest fires. And no one canceled the felling either...

What does the forest give us?

How nice it is to be in the forest! Here the air is simply clean, it’s not for nothing that the green areas are called the “lungs” of our planet. This is the main function of forests - neutralizing chemical compounds, dust, dirt, CO2 present in the atmospheric air, enriching the latter with oxygen. But this ability is not the only one. Forests have a positive effect on the process of formation of weather conditions, in particular, they reduce the air temperature (which is why it is so hot near green areas and directly under the tree crowns on a hot day), and they retain wind and snow. The forest provides shelter for wild animals, many of which play the role of natural orderlies. Green areas provide us with wood, food resources (berries, mushrooms, nuts), medicinal herbs. It’s not without reason that they said about it in ancient times: “The forest is richer than the king.” By the way, about wood: natural cellulose gives us the opportunity to write on paper, read books, wear clothes made of hypoallergenic fabric - viscose made from wood fibers, furnish our homes with luxurious furniture, and for some even build a house. The forest is very useful from the point of view of wood energy.

“By destroying forests, people are cutting off the basis of their existence.” (Konstantin Paustovsky)

“Forests are not only the decoration of the earth, its magnificent and amazing outfit... Forests are the greatest sources of health and inspiration. These are gigantic green laboratories that produce oxygen and trap toxic gases and dust.” (Leonid Maksimovich Leonov)

“Forests adorn the earth... they teach man to understand beauty and instill in him a stately mood.” (Anton Pavlovich Chekhov)

Today New Year according to the solar calendar. Day of spring equinox.

On March 21, the world celebrates the International Day of Forests, which was founded in 1971 and has been celebrated annually since then.

The establishment of this Day was initiated by the European Confederation of Agriculture at the 23rd General Assembly in 1971, and this idea was supported by the World Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Initially, it was decided to celebrate this day on the day autumn equinox V Southern Hemisphere and the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere (the latter, according to tradition, is considered the first day of spring and is a symbol of new life and new beginnings).

And on December 21, 2012, the UN General Assembly, by its resolution No. 67/200, approved to celebrate annually on March 21 the International Day of Forests, with overriding goal— inform society about the importance of forest conservation and their importance for the life of all living things on our planet.

Each year, the Forest Day events are dedicated to a specific theme.

The problem of preserving the forest and its wealth is today among the most important environmental tasks for all countries of the world. IN last years Trends associated with deforestation of the Earth are causing concern not only among environmentalists, but also among the entire international community.

Currently, the total forest area on the planet is approximately 38 million square meters. km (this is about a third of the land area), of which 13% are protected natural areas.

Forests are the lungs of our planet, they have invaluable ecological, social and economic importance - they participate in shaping the planet’s climate, provide oxygen to the entire biosphere, process harmful economic emissions, conserve water resources and participate in the moisture cycle on Earth, and are the habitat of many plants and animals , provide food and a healthy environment for people, help maintain soil fertility and different types natural landscapes.

However, every day the area of ​​the world's forests is steadily declining; every second the Earth loses more than 1.5 hectares of virgin forest. This is primarily due to population growth and deforestation for various human needs. According to some expert estimates, over the past 10 thousand years, people have destroyed 26 million square meters. km of forests.

Along with this, forests are dying from fires, illegal logging, natural disasters, exposure to insect pests, diseases and other reasons. But the reduction in forest area leads to irreparable negative processes that have global significance for all nature and the life of all humanity.

In this regard, the main task of the International Day of Forests is to attract the attention of the planet's inhabitants to the problem of forest conservation, inform about the importance of forest ecosystems, their true condition, the main measures for their protection and restoration.

The International Day of Forests is actively celebrated in our country. Forests are the national treasure of Russia, which accounts for almost a fifth of the world's forest area and approximately the same part of the world's timber reserves. What determines the global importance of forests for the country, not only as a source of valuable raw materials, but also as an important component of the biosphere, which largely determines the living conditions on Earth.

Since the processes of forest loss and degradation have become international problems, requiring a joint decision by all countries, the UN called on all UN member states to support the observance of this day with special events.

On this day, throughout most countries of the world, various actions and events are held aimed at protecting forests and green spaces - information events, various competitions and exhibitions, and campaigns for planting young trees, and various flash mobs.

Many of these events by public and environmental organizations are held with the support of government officials. In particular, UN member countries have reached relevant agreements and are now implementing a number of measures as part of a targeted policy of reforestation and afforestation.

Interestingly, in Italy, on March 21, along with International Forest Day, Tree Day is also celebrated.

Tree Day has long been celebrated in Italy as a holiday of renewal and unity between man and nature.

In ancient culture, there was a widespread custom of organizing festivities to mark the planting of trees, which in those ancient times were treated with great respect and love.

All trees in ancient Italy were divided into Olympic and divine, heroic and ominous, lucky and unlucky. Forests in turn were distinguished as sacred, divine and profane.

The ancient Celts and Romans protected and sanctified forests, thus following the tradition of worshiping divine nature. In the Roman era, a real celebration was held called the “Feast of Lucaria”, during which, in addition to traditional rites of honoring nature, the forest areas planted in the previous months were honored.

In Italy, the first Tree Festival was celebrated in 1898 on the initiative of the Minister of Education Guido Bacelli. And in 1923, it was decided to assign this tradition an official character and enshrine it in the forest law. The celebration was held regularly on a national scale until 1979, after which responsibility for all preparations passed to the regions, which still continue to organize significant events.

Every year in Italy Arbor Day brings together a large number of of people. Adults and children demonstrate their desire to live in a positive environment.

Volunteers all over Italy meet to plant trees in their home towns, parks, squares and gardens, showing love and respect for nature.

18.02.2018

Don't forget to tell your friends

“Forests are not only the decoration of the Earth, its magnificent and amazing outfit... Forests are the greatest sources of health and inspiration. These are gigantic green laboratories,
producing oxygen, trapping toxic gases and dust.” Leonid Maksimovich Leonov
Couldn't have said it better!

To emphasize the importance of forests for life on Earth and to encourage everyone to preserve them, this holiday was founded - Forest Day, which has been celebrated on March 21 every year since 1971. Forests occupy about a third of the planet's land mass, but, unfortunately, this area is constantly shrinking. Uncontrolled logging, fires, the onset of human civilization and many other disasters threaten forests.

The health of the “lungs of the planet” depends on each of us, because almost each of us uses the gifts of the forest to one degree or another. This Day is a reason to think and, perhaps, do something. Our selection includes postcards, congratulations and thematic poems for this Day.

Happy International Forest Day!
And let the expanse of native forests
Will remain free forever
From poachers' evil shackles!
May the glade give us blossoms
And in the summer - the aroma of berries,
There is comfort and inspiration in the soul,
So that everyone is happy and happy!

Happy Forest Day! Let the forests grow
They give us oxygen and space.
Let's not destroy them,
And we will only protect!
The trees provide shade at noon,
Coolness, freshness on a hot day,
They give us paper and furniture.
Yes, eternal glory to the forests!

Handsome forest today is a holiday
Magical notes his.
Let's congratulate him
Care, affection, cleanliness.
Let the trees give us shade,
Let the mushrooms grow in the forest,
Let him add strength to us,
Heals the soul here and there.

On the International Day of Forests
You protect nature.
No bird voices are heard
From the roar of factories.
Let the forests be clean
Take part in this.
You will hear the birds' voices
And you will experience happiness!

Wonderful day, forest day
We'll see you this spring.
You grow up, green friend,
Give joy to everyone around,
The smell of pine needles and leaves,
Freshness of the wind and flowers.
More colorful than all miracles
Our simple green forest!

March 20, 2020 is coming and with it comes another holiday dedicated to environmental issues - World Forest Day. People naively assume that they are the main people on Earth, which means that huge cities, giant transport hubs and other man-made structures are the most priority and visible on the planet. In other words, they identify the Earth with a concrete jungle. In fact, a person and everything connected with his life is a small, albeit very dirty and odorous drop in the sea, in the sea of ​​​​an endless green ocean called a forest.

History of creation

Forest Day was invented in 1971 at the assembly of the European Association of Agriculture, and later the idea of ​​​​promoting such a holiday was supported by the UN Food Organization. This date is another reason to remind humanity of the importance of forests on the planet, and once again think about our common destiny. International Forest Day was registered on the day of the spring equinox for a reason, because it is on this day that nature begins to awaken and renew itself after hibernation, and people just love to start life with clean slate, go on a diet from Monday or exercise from the new year.

The essence of the problem of forest conservation

At first glance, it seems that the problem is far-fetched, that the planet’s forest resources will be enough for our great-great-grandchildren and subsequent generations. But we should not forget that every year the use of forest resources is growing, humanity needs more and more paper and other materials made from wood. Therefore, to calculate exactly how many years, centuries or millennia a huge forest area planets is practically impossible. And unfortunately, the majority of the world's population asks this question, at best, once a year, on Forest Day. According to statistics, forests cover 13% of the Earth, which is equal to more than 38 million sq. km. Nature is much smarter than a person Therefore, such a large and seemingly excessive amount of forest is necessary for life on the planet. But people think differently, we think like users, clients who have fallen on their heads natural resources. Therefore, since it exists, it means we have the right to use it at our own discretion.

Scary statistics

According to research, 1.5 hectares of virgin forest disappears every second on the planet. Humanity needs to develop and the forest provides an excellent opportunity to feed itself, and at the same time clear the territory for future life. Remember the total area of ​​all the forests on the planet? It is equal to 38 million sq. km. So, to make it easier to understand the essence of the problem, just look at the history of the disappearance of the planet’s lungs over the past 10 thousand years. Man destroyed almost 26 million square meters. km., and as you might guess, the greatest damage to nature has been caused in the last few hundred years. To be fair, it must be said that it is not only humans who are to blame for the disappearance of forests; this also includes natural disasters: fires, earthquakes, hurricanes and other force majeure.

Globally

Forests in our country are not just a huge resource, but a real national wealth, but the reduction of the national forest fund is not only our problem, but also the concern of all humanity. Firstly, it is ecology, and secondly, it is a serious component of the Russian budget. But where to draw the fairway, that line that must not be crossed under any circumstances. By thoughtlessly managing the forest today, we run the risk of turning once-rich timber areas into a real desert tomorrow. Therefore, the UN pays close attention to this problem and World Forest Day is an excellent occasion to once again think about the problems associated with the gradual deforestation of the Earth’s lungs. Our country ranks first in the world in terms of the number of forests, which is why there are many national programs, promoting the development of the forest industry, and hence the conservation of resources. Forest Day is actively celebrated in our country; forums, conferences and meetings are held in different cities, during which people are told about the wealth they own. A fifth of the total area of ​​world timber reserves belongs to Russia. Perhaps this is why we are not too ceremonious with the forest and do not try to save wood consumption.