Forests and health: International Day of Forests

Every year on the 21st March we celebrate the International Day of Forests.

Today is a great time to raise awareness of the great role that trees play in our lives and what our planet would be like without them.

This year's theme is "forests and health", because forests do so much for our health. The UN website states "They purify the water, clean the air, capture carbon to fight climate change, provide food and life-saving medicines, and improve our well-being."

The UK needs to plant 120 million trees per year by 2025, equating to roughly 30,000 hectares each year, if we are to meet the net zero target.

In the face of climate change, particularly in light of the most recent IPCC report, it is important to note that it's not just living trees that store the considerable amounts of carbon dioxide that cause global warming. Tearing these trees down then releases that damaging fuel to the atmosphere.

Wooded areas are not only a refuge for wildlife, trees are also crucial for city dwellers. They can reduce air-conditioning costs. By planting them thoughtfully, they can lower the air temperature in a city by up to 8C in summer.

International Day of Forests was established on 28th November 2012 by the United Nations General Assembly. It aims to raise humanity's awareness of the importance of forests for humans.