March 21 International Forest Day. The forest carabinieri, engaged throughout Italy in environmental education, sensitize citizens and students on the importance of forests. Protecting them means guaranteeing a sustainable future, contrasting deforestation, fires and climate change
The forests They cover about a third of the earth’s surface and play an essential role for the balance of the planet. They offer oxygen, regulate the climate and support biodiversity. Over 1.6 billion people, including more than 2 thousand indigenous communities, depend on them for sustenance, access to medicinal resources, energy, food and shelter. These ecosystems, the richest in life on Earth, host over 80% of terrestrial animal and vegetable species.
Despite the incalculable benefits that forests guarantee on the ecological, economic, social and health level, the deforestation advances with alarming rhythms. Every year 12 million hectares of forests disappear, with a devastating impact on the global climate. This destruction contributes between 12% and 20% of the total greenhouse gase emissions, entering around 4.5 billion tons of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
In Italy, the forest surface is constantly increasing, coming to cover about a third of the national territory. This phenomenon is linked to the spontaneous growth of vegetation on abandoned agricultural land.
However, Italian forests face growing threats, including fires, extreme climatic events and climate change. Protecting them becomes crucial to counteract global warming and guarantee a sustainable future. The responsible management of forests is essential for the reduction of poverty and the achievement of sustainable development objectives.
The International Forestry Day
To raise public awareness of the importance of forest ecosystems, theGeneral Assembly of the United Nations set up in 2012 International Day of Forests, International Day of Forestcelebrated every year on March 21st.
On this occasion, the forest carabinieri promote educational initiatives aimed at citizens and schools, spreading awareness of the need to protect forest resources. Activities aim to make it clear how forests contribute to purifying the air, protecting the ground, adjust the water cycle and preserve biodiversity.
Forests is the role of the forest carabinieri
Il Forestry, environmental and agri -food carabinieri commandtogether with the command for forest protection and parks and the command for the protection of biodiversity, coordinates events throughout the national territory. It involves public administrations, academic institutions, local authorities and environmental associations to illustrate the importance of the sustainable management of forests. Among the topics covered, the role of forests emerge in mitigating climate change and hydrogeological instability, as well as their ability to offer vital resources for humanity.
In addition to raising awareness of the protection of forest ecosystems, the forest carabinieri underline the strategic value of the forest effect. The forests, in fact, guarantee fundamental resources such as water, timber and food, regulate the climate and the water cycle and provide essential recreational areas for human well -being. Their protection is crucial to contain global warming, contrast desertification and preserve biodiversity, especially in the Mediterranean regions.
The forest carabinieri: prevention and repression of the offenses
In Italy, the territory is threatened by forest fires, illegal exploits and phenomena of hydrogeological instability, with serious repercussions on wildlife and the quality of life. Fires, in particular, represent the main emergency for national forest assets. To counteract this plague, the forest carabinieri intensify the prevention and repression of the offenses, analyzing the phenomenon and planning targeted strategies in the areas most at risk, where the flames are often set voluntarily.
Commitment to environmental awareness
Faced with these challenges, the commitment to environmental awareness must grow. The forests represent the second largest carbon tank after the oceans and their protection is essential to limit the impact of human consumption. Only through a management responsible for forest resources will it be possible to guarantee a sustainable future in the next generations.
Source
Ispra