- Around 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihood. This includes some 70 million indigenous people
- Forests are home to more than 80 per cent of all terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects
Life On Land
Life On Land
Life On Land
Forests cover 30 per cent of the Earth's surface and in addition to providing food security and shelter, forests are key to combating climate change, protecting biodiversity and the homes of the indigenous population. Thirteen million hectares of forests are being lost every year while the persistent degradation of drylands has led to the desertification of 3.6 billion hectares.
Deforestation and desertification - caused by human activities and climate change - pose major challenges to sustainable development and have affected the lives and livelihoods of millions of people in the fight against poverty. Efforts are being made to manage forests and combat desertification.
What's the goal here?
To sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.
Facts & figures
Forests
Desertification
- 2.6 billion people depend directly on agriculture, but 52 per cent of the land used for agriculture is moderately or severely affected by soil degradation
- As of 2008, land degradation affected 1.5 billion people globally
- Arable land loss is estimated at 30 to 35 times the historical rate
- Due to drought and desertification each year 12 million hectares are lost (23 hectares per minute), where 20 million tons of grain could have been grown
- 74 per cent of the poor are directly affected by land degradation globally
Biodiversity
- Of the 8,300 Animal breeds known, 8 per cent are extinct and 22 per cent are at risk of extinction
- Of the over 80,000 tree species, less than 1 per cent have been studied for potential use
- Fish provide 20 per cent of Animal protein to about 3 billion people. Only ten species provide about 30 per cent of marine capture fisheries and ten species provide about 50 per cent of aquaculture production
- Over 80 per cent of the human diet is provided by plants. Only three cereal crops - rice, maize and wheat - provide 60 per cent of energy intake
- As many as 80 per cent of people living in rural areas in developing countries rely on traditional plant-based medicines for basic healthcare
- Micro-organisms and invertebrates are key to ecosystem services, but their contributions are still poorly known and rarely acknowledged
Why?
Forests cover nearly 31 per cent of our planet's land area. From the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the food we eat-forests sustain us. Think about it. Around 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihood. Almost 75 per cent of the world's poor are affected directly by land degradation. Did you know that forests are home to more than 80 per cent of all terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects? And of the 8,300 Animal breeds known, 8 per cent are extinct and 22 per cent are at risk of extinction. Biodiversity and the ecosystem services it underpins can also be the basis for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies as they can deliver benefits that will increase the resilience of people to the impacts of climate change. Forests and nature are also important for recreation and mental well-being. In many cultures, natural landscapes are closely linked to spiritual values, religious beliefs and traditional teachings.
What would it cost to correct the problem?
The UN Forum on Forests Secretariat estimates that achieving sustainable forest management on a global scale would cost US$70-$160 billion per year. The Convention on Biological Diversity estimates that US$150-$440 billion per year is required to halt the loss of biodiversity at a global level by the middle of this century.
What would it cost if we don't correct the problem?
Biodiversity delivers multiple services from local to global levels, while responses to biodiversity loss range from emotional to utilitarian. For instance, insects and other pollen-carriers are estimated to be worth more than US$200 billion per year to the global food economy. Three-quarters of the top-ranking global prescription drugs contain components derived from plant extracts, which would be threatened. Natural disasters caused by ecosystems disrupted by human impact and climate change already cost the world more than US$300 billion per year. Deforestation and forest degradation results in loss of habitat for all species, a decrease in freshwater quality, an increase in soil erosion, land degradation and higher emissions of carbon into the atmosphere. In short, not taking action on forests impacts both the health of the planet and our communities.
What can we do?
Inevitably, we change the ecosystems we are a part of through our presence-but we can make choices that either affirm diversity or devalue it. Some things we can do to help include recycling, eating a locally-based diet that is sustainably sourced, consuming only what we need, and limiting energy usage through efficient heating and cooling systems. We must also be respectful toward wildlife and only take part in ecotourism opportunities that are responsibly and ethically run in order to prevent wildlife disturbance. Well-managed protected areas support healthy ecosystems, which in turn keep people healthy. It is therefore critical to secure the involvement of the local communities in the development and management of these protected areas.
Where are volunteer projects that need my help?
Discover related Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. As such, the 17 SDGs and its associated 169 targets do not stand alone, but are are interconnected. The key to success on one will involve tackling issues more commonly associated with another. If you are interested in supporting a cause addressing to the goal {sdg.name}, you might also be interested in the related goals No Poverty, Good Health And Well-Being, Clean Water And Sanitation, Decent Work And Economic Growth, Industry, Innovation And Infrastructure, Sustainable Cities And Communities and Responsible Consumption And Production.
Please visit the website of the United Nations to find out more about Goal 15 Life On Land and other Sustainable Development Goals.
Source: United Nations
Activities
Animal
Bird Conservation
Wildlife Conservation
Monkey Conservation
Sloth Sanctuary
Americas
Central America
Costa Rica
Hotspots
Animal Sanctuary
Parrot
Leopardus Conservation
Ocelot
Vegan
Macaw
Rhino Conservation
Elephant Conservation
Africa
Planting Trees
Waste Reduction
Lion Conservation
Bear Conservation
Howler Monkeys
Southern Africa
Families with small kids
Antelope Conservation
South Africa
Reptile Conservation
Southwest African Lion
Giraffe Conservation
Sea Turtle Conservation
White Rhino
Asia
Anti Poaching
Leopard Conservation
African Leopard
African Elephant
South East Asia
Crocodile
Cockatoo
Capuchin Monkey
Plastic Reduction
Bush Elephant
Animal Shelter
Environment
Europe
Spider Monkey
Marmoset
Horse
Kangaroo Conservation
Jaguar Conservation
Dog
Tapir
Conservation Work
Green Sea Turtle
Tiger Conservation
Cheetah Conservation
Intern Abroad
South African Cheetah
Veterinary Training
Toucan
Macaque
Reforestation
Ocean Cleaning
Zebra Conservation
Beach Cleaning
Street Animals
South America
Southern Giraffe
Thailand
Squirrel Monkey
Kruger National Park
Yoga
Indonesia
Asian Elephant
Kudu
Leatherback Turtle
Tamarin
National Park
Safari
Primate Conservation
Buffalo Conservation
African Buffalo
Impala
Oceania
Australia and New Zealand
Australia
Northern Europe
Eastern Africa
Kangaroo
Southern Europe
Hyena Conservation
Eagle
Baboon
Caracal Conservation
Wallaby
Spotted Hyena
Koala Conservation
Koala
Warthog Conservation
Bali
Iceland
Possum
Premium
Meerkat
Meerkat Conservation
Caracal
Mountain Zebra
Anteater Conservation
Wombat
Wombat Conservation
Peru
Limon
Scouts
Bushbuck
Plains Zebra
Ecological Farming
GVI Alternatives
Amazon Rainforest
Otter Conservation
Spain
Cats
Tortoise Conservation
North America
Plant Conservation
Canada
Jackal Conservation
Southern Asia
Cusco
Hippo Conservation
Sri Lanka
Madagascar
Nosy Komba
Great Apes Conservation
Hawksbill Turtle
Marine Life
Namibia
African Wild Dog Conservation
Owl
Language Course
Spanish Courses
Gibbon
Orangutan
Civet
Greece
Zimbabwe
Eurasian Otter
Bilbao
Community
Construction
Wildcat Conservation
Hiking
Ecuador
Vervet Monkey
Giant Tortoise
Mongoose Conservation
Mongoose
Lemur
Agriculture
Sumatra
Bangkok
Brazil
Marine Conservation
Voluntourism
Volunteer and Travel
Crete
Manatee Conservation
Giant Otter
Diving
Windhoek
Galapagos
Coral Reef
Horse Sanctuary
Elephant Research
Insect Conservation
Butterfly Conservation
Queensland
Wolf Conservation
Grey Wolf
Iquitos
Honey Badger
Diving certificate
Tanzania
Cambodia
Borneo
Philippines
PADI Divemaster
Olive Ridley Turtle
Malaga
Eastern Europe
Chameleon
Hungary
Thessaloniki
Kenya
Chania
Zanzibar
United Kingdom
British Columbia
Eastern Asia
Mongolia
Northwest African Cheetah
Tenerife
Chiang Mai
Spur-thighed Tortoise
Loggerhead Turtle
Norway
Western Africa
Elusive Pangolin
Photography Internship
Turkey
Western Asia
Duiker
Music
Ghana
Malaysia
Chile
Surfing
Husky
Cape Town
Coffee
Victoria Falls
Arusha
Koh Samui
Binturong Conservation
Tasmania
Tasmanian Devil Conservation
Port Elizabeth
Nyala
Waterbuck
Blesbok
Italy
Portugal
Indian Elephant
Reykjavik
Patas Monkey
Wales
Sri Lankan Elephant
Bat Conservation
Sugar Glider
Scotland
Athens
Chimpanzee
Ecological Building
Monastery
United States Of America
Laos
Barcelona
Bolivia
Middle Africa
Gorilla
Cameroon
Falcon
Colombia
Hawaii
Aardvark
Tubulidentata Conservation
Salsa Lessons
Nosy Be
Mexico
Oaxaca
Plettenberg Bay
Transvaal Lion
Nepal
Social Work
Shark Conservation
Cougar Conservation
Uruguay
Kilimanjaro
Serengeti
Snorkeling
Guatemala
Building Schools
Horse Therapy
Leopard Shark
San Jose
Dolphin Conservation
Energy and Water
Puerto Viejo
Quito
Manuel Antonio
Cape Verde
Indigenous cultures
Hua Hin
Kathmandu
Sweden
Puerto Escondido
Caribbean
Soccer
Lisbon
New Zealand
Botswana
Penguin Conservation
Whale Conservation
Knysna
NGO Support
Marketing and IT
Grenada
Alaska
Dominican Republic
Palawan
Ireland
Whale Shark
Swaziland
Mombasa
Kumasi
Tanzanian Cheetah
South Korea
Seoul
Romania
India
Kolkata
Zambia
Florida
Machu Picchu
Sloth Bear
Porto
Puerto Jimenez
Split
Croatia
Liberia
Argentina
Buenos Aires
Southern Right Whale
Great White Shark
Humpback Whale
Orca
Bottlenose Dolphin
Antigua
Paraguay
Rwanda
Musanze
Fiji
Melanesia
Caiman
Nairobi
NGO Management
Education
Whitetip Reef Shark
Physical Therapy Internship
Nursing Internship
Midwifery Internship
Gambia
Ubud
Easter Island
Primary School
Rome
Malawi
Mozambique
Youth Teaching
Deer Conservation
Accra
Bee Conservation
Medical Training
Vietnam
Dental Internship
Hammerhead Shark
Lake Titicaca
Blacktip Reef Shark
Healthcare
Guyana
Jaipur
Northern Africa
Bali Starling
Volleyball
Amur Tiger
Side-striped Jackal
Morocco
Golden Jackal
Delhi
Honduras
East African Hippo
Everest Trekking
Jamaica
Himalaya