International Day of Forests

What Is the International Day of Forests?

March 21 marks the "International Day of Forests (World Forestry Day)" every year. It was established by a resolution of the UN General Assembly in December 2012. The day aims to raise awareness of the importance of forests and to promote their sustainable management, conservation, and restoration. Forests cover about 31% of the Earth's land area and form an essential foundation for maintaining biodiversity and combating climate change — vital for humanity's survival. Each year, the UN sets a global theme, and tree-planting and awareness events are held around the world.

Scientific Facts About the Many Roles Forests Play

Forests are far more than collections of trees — they function as complex, highly sophisticated life-support systems.

• Carbon absorption and storage: Through photosynthesis, forests absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and store it as carbon in trees and soil. Science confirms this is one of the most effective nature-based tools for curbing global warming.
• A treasure trove of biodiversity: About 80% of land-dwelling species make forests their home. Protecting forests directly prevents the extinction of millions of plant and animal species and helps maintain the balance of ecosystems.
• Water source conservation: Sometimes called "green dams," forests store rainwater in the soil and release it slowly into rivers, which helps prevent flooding and purifies the water.

Forest Resources and the Coexistence of People and Forests

Our daily lives and economic activities depend deeply on the gifts forests provide.

• Supporting livelihoods and jobs: About 1.6 billion people worldwide rely on forests for food, water, shelter, energy, and income. Sustainable forestry is a vital industry that creates jobs in local communities.
• The value of timber use: Timber produced from responsibly managed forests is a renewable alternative to plastic and concrete. Using wood in construction can significantly reduce the CO2 emissions generated during building, a fact that is gaining increasing scientific attention.

Interesting Facts About Forests

• "Trees talking to each other": Recent research has shown that trees share nutrients through networks of fungi in the soil (mycorrhizal networks) and release chemical signals to warn each other of insect attacks.
• The world's largest forest: The boreal forest (taiga), stretching from Russia to Canada, stores even more carbon than tropical rainforests and plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth's temperature.
• Vanishing forest area: Around the world, roughly 10 million hectares of forest — an area equivalent to the size of South Korea — are lost every year to conversion for agriculture and illegal logging.
• The science of forest bathing: Walking through a forest has a relaxing effect because trees release volatile compounds called "phytoncides," which reduce stress hormones in humans and boost the activity of immune cells.
• Why March 21 was chosen: The date falls close to the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere — a time of budding growth — and the autumn equinox in the Southern Hemisphere — a time of harvest and dormancy — symbolizing the rhythm of life across the entire planet.

Tips for Spending the International Day of Forests

• Visit a nearby park or forest, take in the green of the trees, and breathe deeply to experience for yourself the "purifying effect" forests have on body and mind.
• Choose products such as paper or wooden goods that carry environmental labels like FSC or PEFC certification, indicating they come from responsibly managed forests, to indirectly support sustainable forestry.
• On "March 21, the Day of Forests," take a moment to review how you recycle wood and paper in your own life, and embrace a more "circular" way of living that values limited resources.
• Look into the connection between deforestation and food production — particularly beef and palm oil — and discuss thoughtful, environmentally conscious consumer choices with family and friends.

A Vast and Deep Green Connection That Nourishes Your Life and Carries It Into the Future

March 21 is a day to express deep gratitude to forests — the "lungs of the Earth" — which give us oxygen, water, and peace of mind. Just as a single tree spends decades or even centuries putting down roots and nurturing countless forms of life, the small steps we take today to protect forests connect directly to the clean air that children far in the future will breathe. Realizing that you, too, are part of nature's grand cycle can enrich your sensibility and give you a renewed sense of vitality for tomorrow. Your willingness to protect green landscapes makes the Earth's beauty shine even brighter for everyone.