International Day of Forests

What Is the International Day of Forests?

March 21st is the "International Day of Forests," one of the UN's international days, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 2012 and observed since 2013. It aims to raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests and trees, and each year a theme is set and events such as tree planting are held around the world. Forests cover about one-third of the Earth's land area and play a major role in biodiversity, climate stability and the conservation of water resources.

The Roles Forests Play

Forests do much more than produce timber; they support our lives in many ways.

• Absorbing carbon dioxide: Through photosynthesis, trees take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it as carbon in their trunks, roots and the soil. Forests are considered important in efforts against global warming.
• Home to living things: According to the UN, more than 80% of terrestrial animals, plants and insects live in forests.
• Water conservation: Forest soils store rainwater and release it slowly into rivers, which is why forests are sometimes called "green dams."

Forests and People's Lives

Around the world, many people depend on the benefits of forests.

• Livelihoods that rely on forests: The UN notes that about 1.6 billion people depend on forests for food, fuel, income and more.
• Japan, a forested nation: About two-thirds of Japan's land is covered by forest, making it one of the most heavily forested developed countries.

Fun Facts About Forests

• Disappearing forests: According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), an estimated 10 million hectares of forest were lost each year from 2015 to 2020, largely through conversion to farmland.
• The boreal forest (taiga): The boreal forests stretching across Russia and Canada are among the largest forest regions in the world and store large amounts of carbon in their soils and elsewhere.
• Certification labels: Forest certification marks such as FSC and PEFC show that wood or paper comes from responsibly managed forests.
• Japan's "Forest Day": Separately from the International Day of Forests, May 20th is "Forest Day" (Shinrin no Hi) in Japan.

Tips for Marking the International Day of Forests

• Walk through a nearby park or forest and watch the trees coming into bud
• Look for forest certification marks when buying paper or wood products
• Learn about the forests in your area and the forests that protect your tap water's source
• Check for tree-planting events held by the Forestry Agency and other organizations

From the Trees Nearby to the World's Forests

Forests support things essential to our lives, such as air, water and wood. For people living in Japan, where two-thirds of the land is forest, March 21st is a good day to think about the trees around us and the forests of the world.