The role of forests in the fight against climate change

The role of forests in the fight against climate change

In the last 10,000 years, about a third of the world’s forests have disappeared, half of which was cut down in the 20th century. Forest loss over the past six decades has contributed to a 60 percent drop in the world’s average per capita forest cover. The fact that in 1960 the global average of forest cover per person was 1.4 hectares, and today it is only 0.5, which is the minimum for providing the resources necessary for human life, is of additional concern. The question naturally arises as to what we can do to stop this negative trend and why it is important.

We often forget that our survival on Earth is deeply connected to other species, and that forests are by no means just piles of trees used for firewood and industrial purposes. They are a prerequisite for the existence of a diverse and stable ecosystem, which is crucial for us for many different reasons.

One of the most important is that trees absorb the carbon dioxide we exhale, as well as the greenhouse gas emissions created as a result of our activities. An underforested planet means that when gases enter the atmosphere, global warming increases. Scientists today call this phenomenon the popular term “climate change”, which we have to stand in the way of.

FAR-REACHING CONSEQUENCES OF CLIMATE CHANGES

The Earth’s climate is constantly changing as a result of changes in natural circumstances, but since the beginning of the 20th century they have been almost exclusively the result of human activities. They are taking place gradually, but their impact on our planet is becoming more and more obvious. At the moment, movie scenarios about natural disasters seem like fiction, but they are possible in real life in the not too distant future.

Global warming is leading to changes in weather patterns. Droughts are becoming more frequent, which destroys fertile fields and affects the water supply, while fires are more frequent. On the other hand, some regions suffer from excessive amounts of rainfall and therefore extreme floods. Due to the melting of the glaciers, the sea level is continuously rising, which threatens the cities located along the coasts.

The increase in temperature is suffocating life in ecosystems, leading to the extinction of species that have been part of our world for centuries. Resources, such as water and food, are becoming scarcer, the air is more polluted, respiratory problems are more present, and diseases spread more easily in the new conditions.

THE ROLE OF FORESTS IN PREVENTING CLIMATE CHANGE

As the world tries to slow climate change, preserve nature and support more than eight billion people, trees play a key role in solving these problems. Forests regulate the amount and distribution of precipitation, influence water quality, prevent floods, erosion and landslides, improve air quality and nutritious soil. They are the guardians of biodiversity, on whose survival numerous species of plants, fungi, animals and people depend.

However, forests and climate change are in a specific relationship – climate change threatens to destroy the forest by accelerating the increase in air temperature, while forests mitigate the effects of climate change. In this struggle, forests need the help of man.

FOR ALL THOSE WHO “KNOW TO SEE THE FOREST FROM THE TREES”

If we contribute collectively, even small changes can have a significant impact on the preservation of the planet, but even so, a great responsibility rests on companies that have the power to systematically contribute to a sustainable future. Recognizing this, OTP bank was the first and only one in Serbia to join a few years ago global initiative Priceless Planet Coaliton of Mastercard with the objective planting 100 million trees in 18 locations around the world that have been damaged by floods, storms, and fires by 2025.

And in 2024, for the fourth year in a row, OTP banka is participating in this important initiative. This means that for every client who until November 30 activates Apple Paythat is Google Pay service (which turns the mobile phone into a “mobile wallet” for contactless, safer and easier payment) to plant a tree in their name as a sign of gratitude.

Also, OTP banka will do the same for every client who until November 30 open it Fluo, Praktik, Prestige or Classic account package. In this way, thanks to this initiative, the Bank’s clients become an important actor in the mission for a healthier Planet and the preservation of flora and fauna, which is the ultimate goal of the Planet Coalition mission.

POSITIVE CHANGES START WITH US

Each of us has a responsibility to preserve our planet. Small changes in daily habits can create a wave of positive effects, and together we can make a difference that will be felt for generations to come.

Now is the time to rethink our decisions and choose paths that lead to a more sustainable world. Our future, as well as the future of all beings who share this world with us, depends on the decisions we make today. So let’s make every decision we make a contribution to a healthier and richer nature – because together we can make the planet Earth a better place to live!

Source: BIZLife

Photo: Freepik