WOODMAN, SPARE THAT TREE
Yesterday, March 21 was the International Forest Day with the theme being ‘Forests and Energy’. At a time of potentially catastrophic climate change – though the United States’ newly elected President Donald Trump, appears to by planting lots of fake news relating to climate change denial – it is vital that all countries should commit themselves to the principles of this event.
According to the United Nations, the UN this year highlights the importance of wood energy in improving people’s lives, powering sustainable development and mitigating climate change. Though most people are not aware of this and firewood is rarely used in this modern era of digital technology, wood is a major renewable energy source. Wood provides 27 percent of total primary energy supply in Africa, 13 percent in Latin America and the Caribbean and 5 percent in Asia and Oceania.
The UN points out that wood energy powers economic development. It says modernising the wood energy sector can help revitalise rural economies and stimulate enterprise development.
Greater investment in wood energy production and advanced wood fuels could provide revenue to finance better forest management, more growing forests and more jobs. Wood and trees contribute to optimal urban living and lower energy bills. Strategically placed trees in urban areas can cool the air by between 2 and 8 degrees C. Indeed it is like a natural air conditioner. The UN says wood energy mitigates climate change and fosters sustainable development. Globally, forests hold energy content about 10 times that of the world’s annual primary energy consumption. They thus have significant potential as renewable resources to meet global energy demand. Forests provide clean air, water and energy. Sustainably managed forests can provide renewable and carbon neutral energy for a greener future.
Forests are good for energy, now and in a future global green economy. Greater investment in technological innovation and in sustainably managed forests is the key to increasing forests’ role as a major source of renewable energy. In this way, we invest in our sustainable future, in meeting several Sustainable Development Goals and in growing a green economy. Increased areas of sustainably household and community woodlots and the use of clean and efficient wood stoves in developing countries can give millions more people access to cheap, reliable and renewable energy.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) says that on the International Day of Forests (IDF) countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organise activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns.
The FAO has also encouraged governments, organisations and individuals to video or otherwise record their forest conservation work and share it online nationally and internationally.
According to records maintained by Sri Lanka’s Department of Forest Conservation, in 1881 the forest cover of Sri Lanka was as much as 84 % of the land area. The woodman has not spared the axe and the forest cover today has been cut to between 20 percent and 30 percent. The Forestry Sector Master Plan -covering the period from 1995-2020-places particular emphasis on conserving the remaining natural forests, to maintain biological resources (Flora & Fauna) as reservoirs of biodiversity.
It also empowers people and rural communities to manage and protect multiple use forests mainly for their own benefit. The Master Plan also promotes the building of partnerships in forestry development activities.
Among its other aims are -developing home garden and other agro forestry systems as well as forest plantations to meet peoples’ basic needs and to supply industrial wood.
To what extent this is happening is another question. President Maithripala Sirisena, who is also the Minister of Environmental Affairs, has given high priority for the protection of forests and it has been announced that thousands of Kumbuk trees -widely seen as a sacred medicinal tree and a Guardian of the heart - are to be grown along river banks.
We urge responsible and eco-friendly citizens to mark this day and year by at least planting a tree or two. Wherever possible as a social action group, we need to take bigger and more effective measures to ensure a greener future and a greener economy.
As the poet George Pope Morris says, “WOODMAN, spare that tree! Touch not a single bough! In youth it sheltered me, And I ’ll protect it now.’t was my forefather’s hand, That placed it near his cot; There, woodman, let it stand, Thy axe shall harm it not.