"In this first year of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the International Day of Forests focuses on their role in supporting water systems... Investing in forests is an insurance policy for the planet." - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Special Hints for International Water Day March 21
- Forests are the most biologically-diverse ecosystems on land, home to more than 80% of the terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects.
- Yet despite all of these priceless ecological, economic, social and health benefits, global deforestation continues at an alarming rate - 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed annually.
- Deforestation accounts for 12 to 20 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
- Forested watersheds and wetlands supply 75 percent of the world’s accessible freshwater
- About one-third of the world’s largest cities obtain a significant proportion of their drinking water directly from forested protected areas.
- Nearly 80 percent of the world’s population – 8 out of 10 people - is exposed to high levels of threat to water security.
- Improved water resource management can show considerable economic gains Forests act as natural water filters.
- Climate change is altering forests role in water flows and the availability of water resources
- Forests have a crucial role in building and strengthening resilience
- Special Event.
- The theme of the 2016 International Day of Forests is “forests and water”
Courtesy: http://www.un.org/
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